Cultural programmes in 30 venues in the city and suburbs, illumination along Kowdiar-Manacuad road corridor, trans fest, and festivities in Kazhakuttam and Akkulam tourist villages are the highlights of Onam celebrations starting September 3.
The Onam flag will be hoisted at the Kanakakunnu palace, the hub of the celebrations in the capital, on September 1 by Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran.
Minister for Electricity M. M. Mani will switch on the illuminations, which is being extended beyond Vellayambalam and East Fort for the first time. Chairman of KTDC M. Vijayakumar will inagurate the food fest being organised at Sooryakanthi exhibition grounds and Mayor V. Prashant will inauguruate the Tourist Information Centre on the palace premises. Government Women’s College will be the venue for the ‘athapookalam’ contest on September 2 and Thiruvathira contest will take place at the adjacent Bharat Bhavan.
The trade fest, being organised in connection with the festivities, will be inaugurated by C. Divakaran, MLA, on the same day.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Surendran said the refurbished tourist village was being opened for the tourists by starting boating services by the DTPC on September 1.
During the week-long celebrations, thrust would be given for programmes for women and children and Shanghumughom would be the exclusive venue for such programmes.
Mega shows
The Central stadium would be the venue for mega shows by satellite television channels and Ganamela would be held at Poojappura grounds. Thiruvarangu, Nattarangu and Sopanam venues in the palace would be for staging traditional arts, Sangeethika (music), Akathalam (photo exhibition) and Ganamela in Sooryakanthi. Theerthapadamandapam in East Fort would host Kathakali, Koothu, and Koodiyattam performances.
Public Office premises would be the venue for Ganamela, Peroorkkada Bappuji Library for cultural programmes, Gandhi Park for Kathaprasangam, VJT Hall for Kaviyarangu and Drama, Kanakakkunnu Gate for musical instruments, Museum compound for Yoga and Kalarippayattu, Government Women’s’ college Vazhuthacauad for Athapookkalam, Vailoppilly Sanskriti Bhavan Koothambalam for classical dances, and University college compound for amateur theatre.
Sreevaraham, Veli Tourist village, Nedumangad Parking Yard premises, Madavoorpara, Attingal, Neyyattinkara Municipal ground and Sree Chithira Thirunal Park would be the other venues. Mr. Surendran said the celebrations would conclude with the colourful thematic pageantry to be flagged off by Governor P. Sathasivam on September 9.
Veteran actor Madhu would be honoured at the concluding ceremony.
Legislators C. Divakaran, C. K. Hareendran, I.B. Satheesh, K. Ansalan; Principal Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu; and programme coordinator Karamana Hari were present.
