From traditions to grand gatherings: Onam through the years in the UAE

Keralites mark Onam with floral carpets, festive meals and colourful cultural events

Last updated: September 03, 2025 | 07:30

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For decades, Onam has united the Malayali community in the UAE in a colourful blend of tradition and expatriate spirit. What began as small family gatherings in the late 1970s and 1980s has grown into one of the most anticipated cultural celebrations on the expatriate calendar. Above, members of the Indian community celebrate Onam with artistic performances and traditional festivities at Al Nasr Leisureland in Dubai, August 17, 2007.

Devadasan K P/Gulf News archives

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An annual harvest festival rooted in Kerala, Onam is marked by vibrant pookalams (floral carpets), spirited cultural performances, and the sumptuous Onasadya — a multi-course vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. For Malayalis in the UAE, it has become a cherished reminder of home. Above, celebrations in 1997 saw the Dubai Indian Association host Kerala Festival Onam events at Al Nasr Leisureland in Dubai.

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The 1999 Onam celebration in Dubai, organised by the All Kerala College Alumni Forum, united the community with traditional feasts and cultural performances.

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Members of the Keralite community during the “Onam Lunch” organised by the Kerala Social Centre at its Abu Dhabi premises in 2000.

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Musicians perform ‘Panchavadyam,’ a traditional Kerala percussion ensemble, during Onam celebrations at Al Nasr Leisureland in 2003.

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People queue for a traditional Onam Sadya during celebrations organised by the Indian Association in Dubai on August 27, 2004.

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An Indian classical dance performance during the Onam celebrations at Al Nasr Leisureland in Dubai, 2006.

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Staff of a money exchange centre celebrate Onam with a colourful floral decoration at their office premises in 2015 in Abu Dhabi.

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A large crowd gathers at Arabian Centre in Dubai during the Onam celebrations in 2015.

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Women perform the traditional Thiruvathira dance as families from Kerala, across different faiths, gather to celebrate Onam in Dubai in 2016

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In recent years, Onam has stepped further into the public sphere. Corporate groups, schools, and shopping malls have joined in, with elaborate stage events, celebrity performances from Kerala, and floral design competitions adding grandeur. Restaurants across the UAE now serve special Onasadya menus, attracting both expatriates and residents.

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A procession featuring mythical King Mahabali and Kerala’s traditional art forms was the highlight of the Onam celebrations at Dubai Drydocks workers’ housing complex in 2019.

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Air India staff at the Sharjah branch celebrate Onam in 2019 with a colourful ‘Onapookalam’ floral decoration.

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Shoppers browse the festive Onam Market at a LuLu store in 2020.

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People enjoy the traditional Onasadya feast at Salkara Restaurant in Dubai on the auspicious occasion of Onam in 2022.

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Onam in the UAE continues to embody unity, nostalgia, and the enduring bond of Malayalis with their homeland.

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