: Onam celebrations organised by the State Tourism Department will begin at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here on Wednesday evening.
Briefing the media about the seven-day programme that would last till September 13, Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said here on Saturday that the District Tourism Councils would conduct arts and cultural events in all the districts during this period. In Thiruvananthapuram district, in addition to the State level celebrations in the capital city, there would be events got up by the District Tourism Council at places such as Varkala, Chirayinkeezh, Shanghumughom, Aruvikkara, Neyyar Dam and Kovalam.
In the capital city, the events will be spread out across 26 venues. Over 5,000 artistes would participate in the events in the capital city. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the State-level fete on Wednesday. Poet O.N.V. Kurup, writer Sukumar Azhikode, actor Mammootty, film sound engineerr Resul Pookutty, Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and percussionist Mattannur Sankarankutty would be honoured at the inaugural programme.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘Mega shows'
From September 8 to 13, Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium will be the venue of “mega shows” got up by Malayalam television channels such as Jeevan TV, Kairali TV, Asianet Cable Vision and Surya TV, in addition to newspapers such as ‘Malayala Manorama' and ‘Kerala Kaumudi'.
The other events in the capital city include classical dance performances, ganamelas, performance of various traditional forms of arts, exhibitions and competitions. Amusement shows will be there during this period at the Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
A trade fair and exhibition will open at Suryakanthi on Monday and it will be on till September 15.
One of the main attractions at the Suryakanthi will be a food festival arena, where the Onam revellers can have tasty Wayanadan delicacies, Ramasserry idlies, Thalasserry biriyani, etc., Mr. Anil Kumar said.
Many leading hotels in the capital city are joining the celebrations by opening counters offering special food items such as Kuttanadan, Chettinadan and Punjabi preparations, in addition to a wide range of payasam preparations.
Mr. Anil Kumar said the stretch of the road from the Raj Bhavan to East Fort in the capital city would be illuminated during the week-long celebrations.
Over 75 floats will line up for the cultural procession from Kowdiar to East Fort on September 13 as the celebrations come to a grand finale.