The Keralotsavam revelry by members of Malayalee Association Vijayawada hit a high note on Sunday with the organisers walking an extra mile to recreate the Onam magic here, away from their native land.
Celebration of the traditional Onam festival in city is an annual affair for hundreds of Malayalee families who have settled here for decades. The sprawling Siddhartha Arts College auditorium was abuzz with frenzied activity; the mood was upbeat and the spirits high.
Soaking in the festival spirit, Malayalee families walked in sporting their traditional attire.
A few men chose tradition by wearing the customary white dhoti-kurta while womenfolk sauntered gracefully in settu mundu with long strings of fresh jasmine flowers fastened to their tresses adding to the soft fragrance that swathed the vicinity.
Being part of Keralotsavam felt like reading a storybook, full of strange and wonderful stories; you just couldn’t stop reading because the more you read the more fascinating it got.
The endearing chapters featured Pookkalam , the eye-catching arrangement of flowers and one of the highlights of Onam celebration. A contest was organised which drew participation of even non-Malayalees.
Mohiniattam , a classical dance of Kerala, was a graceful solo recital by a woman. Clad in a white silk sari embroidered with bright golden brocade at the edges, she swayed gracefully with hand movements in perfect sync.
“We are often told that God lies in each one of us. Those who witnessed north Malabar’s Theyyam performance by an artist from Kerala would know how formidable it could be. Dressed in elaborate make-up and a headdress, the dancer performed to drumbeats and incantations, reciting myths and legends. As the beats became more intense, the dancer metamorphosed into the deity or the Theyyam .
“Back home in Kerala, in their ‘possessed’ state, the Theyyams dance on fire, bless devotees and perform miracles. Once the dancer is out of the fervent trance, he has no recollection of what transpired during the possession,” said one of the association members.
It was sheer magic unfolding when one watched the theyyam dancer performing in one of the most striking costumes and facial paintings. Many among the audience spoke about experiencing goose bumps.
After the song and dance saga it was time to feast on the much-awaited Ona Sadhya , a smorgasbord of around 20 varieties of curries, rice cooked in traditional Kerala style and the mouth-watering pazha pradhaman ( payasam made of banana and jaggery) and palada pradhaman ( payasam made with milk).
Post-lunch, the revellers headed to the auditorium for yet another invigorating session packed with loads of entertainment.
Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy graced the occasion.
