Like every year the Indian Association, Dubai has once again lined up spectacular Onam celebrations for Keralites in the UAE.
Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala is a festival for feasting, revelry, boat racing and is marked for 10 days. The festival culminates on Thiruvoman day.
The festival in the era bygone was a time for meeting and sharing. With the concept of joint families reduced to a large extent, the celebrations have also undergone a metamorphosis.
The Indian Association Dubai will hold its Onam celebrations on September 5 at the Al Nasr Leisureland with the support of eight other Malayalee associations based in Dubai.
The day would start at 6am with a floral decoration competition, the winner of which will receive a trophy. For this 300kg of fresh flowers will be flown in from Kerala and will be supplemented with additional flowers and leaves from here. The main pookklam or floral carpet will be laid inside the ice rink by the association.
The festivities will begin with the arrival of the chief guest, led by cultural procession with caparisoned elephant, decorative umbrellas, panchavadyam, chenda, kavadi, karagattom and oneswaran. This will be followed by cultural programmes by local artists from the eight associations and will go until 3.30pm.
Onasadya or the traditional Onam lunch will be prepared under the supervision of four chefs flown in from Thiruvananthpuram, Kerala.
Lunch will be served to an estimated 3,500 persons on traditional plantain leaves. The menu will feature Parippu, Sambar, Pulisseri, Rasam, Thoran, Koottukari, Avial, Pachadi, Kichadi, pickles, chips, Papadam and Payasam.
The evening programme starts with Panchavadyam by local artists. This will be followed by a musical programme featuring reputed singers like Madhu Balakrishnan and Jolsna who will be supported by Reemi Tomy and Rajest along with a 12 member orchestra.
Admission to the day long celebration will be against tickets available at the Indian Association Dubai at 04-3511082 or at any of the following: All Kerala Colleges Alumi Forum, Bhavana Arts Society, Dubai Art Lovers Association, Dubai Kairali Kala Kendram, Dubai Priyadarshani, Emirates Arts Center, Indian Arts Society and the Indian Cultural Association.
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