Mega cultural shows by renowned artistes and a special programme to honour actor Kamal Hasan who has completed 50 years in cinema would be the highlights of this year’s Onam week celebrations beginning on August 22.
Noted film-maker T K Rajeev Kumar will direct a cultural programme titled `Swarna Kamalam’ at the
State-level inaugural of the festivities at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here.
Kamal Hasan would be honoured at the same function, to be inaugurated by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.
A trade fair and food festival would be conducted at the Kanakakkunnu palace. The main stretch of the city road from Vellayambalam and East Fort would be illuminated as part of the celebrations.
The celebrations, meant to attract foreign and domestic tourists, is expected to create a boom in the State’s trade scene also. More than 4,000 artistes would stage their performances in the one-week period in the city.
Coinciding with the celebrations in the capital city, cultural programmes would be held in all district headquarters also during the week.
The celebrations would conclude on August 28 with a cultural pageantry here.
The State government had allotted Rs 1.67 crore for the cultural extravaganza, while the remaining funds would be raised through sponsorship, official sources said.