But for the absence of the backwaters that forms a decorous backdrop for the boat race organised during the ten-day celebration of Onam, the organisers of Maithri, an association that binds Keralites in town, ensured that Malayalis felt at home during the festivities. .
Jayalaxmi Gardens, Secunderabad, the venue for the event was teeming with at least a thousand people on a weekend morning, full of bonhomie at reuniting with members of their community. With the women dressed in traditional Kerala kasavu set-saris and the men in mundus , it all felt authentic. .
Ranjani Sivakumar’s vocals initiated proceedings, with Swati Thirunal’s composition Gopalaka Pahimam Anisham . A timely tribute to Kalam ensued even as crowds waited desperately Malyalam film comedian Harisree Ashokan to grace the occasion as chief guest.
Dances followed, led by Kaikottikali, the folk form performed by young girls, under the supervision of K Sathyavani, with pre-recorded track sung mellifluously by singer Chithra complementing the backgrounds well too. Mythili Anoop’s performance of Mohiniyattam in her tribute to Lord Shiva, easily being the best among the cultural events held through the day, was received with rapt attention from the audience.
Then it was actor Ashokan’s turn with the mikeand he, like we know him in his humorous on-screen avatars, traversed across several topics from the language problems he faced in the city to private schools marking the end of the zilla parishad’s in villages by milking donations. A bunch of dancers from Kerala later ensured that a visual spectacle with folk dances as well as performances on select film songs. Their staggering formations of positions of mythological Gods met with the loudest of applauses.
With Ona Sadhya (lunch for Onam) being readied, singers Vidhu Pratap, Keerthana, Jeshu and Krishna Kumar did well to distract visitors. Vellara Poomala Mele , a popular song from the Mohanlal starrer Varavelpu by Vidhu was where it all began and then followed a series of impressive choices including tracks from recent films including Ennum Eppozhum, Jilla, Baahubali, Premam, Bangalore Days, Disco Dancer and Don , thereby encompassing several languages.
There was no stopping crowds at the entry to the lunch counter as the banana leaves were being readied for the servings. The choice between white and red rice truly got food enthusiasts truly interested.
As for the obvious inclusions of avial, paruppu, rasam and kootu curry did impress, the regional touch to delicacies like palada pradhaman (Pal payasam), parippu pradhaman (payasam made out of Bengal gram with coconut milk), kalan, olan, sharkara varatty (Banana chips coated with jaggery), pulinji (tamarind and ginger pickle) sent food-lovers into a spell.
Sometime to settle down to activity post that and old and young visitors alike took to the stage for dances and singing. A lottery event ensured a semblance of humour as the day came to a close, with most of the participants being picked as winners having left the venue. Finally when the winner who was there came to pick his prize after a long wait, a loud cheer greeted him. All in all, it was a fun event.
