Dubai: Thousands of Keralites across the UAE observed the south-Indian harvest festival of Onam earlier this week.
But, many who couldn’t book time away from the office during the week for elaborate celebrations continued to usher in the spirited tradition this weekend with friends and family.
“Dubai probably has the longest celebrations; the organisations want all the people to participate and you would see the functions start from this month and would extend up to the end of next month. We will also be participating in the numerous cultural events which are being organised by different Kerala organisations,” said K. Kumar, Convenor of The Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC), an initiative by the Consulate General of India.
As part of extended revelry, Keralites will continue to enjoy Onasadya, the Onam feast, and hotels and eateries are offering the traditional meal.
wOnam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham) which corresponds with August-September. ‘Atham’, the first day of the festival and ‘Thiruonam’, the tenth day are considered to be the most important days of this festival which brings out the rich cultural heritage of Kerala in its best form and spirit.
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Onam celebrations transcend geographical boundaries and with expatriates having friends from different communities and nationalities, the festival is a good opportunity for them to give a glimpse of their culture to their friends.
“We are getting together over the weekend. I will be going out with my friends who come from different countries and different states in India. They are quite keen on it and I see it as an opportunity to give them a glimpse into our culture,” said Ranjit Jose, who lives in Motor City.
Restaurants
Many hotels and restaurants had special Onasadya menus with some of them offering even upto 29 dishes.
Onasadya, the grand feast, is prepared on ‘Thiruonam’ and is traditionally a nine-course meal consisting of 11 to 13 dishes. It is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.
“Traditionally there are about 11 dishes, but we have 29-dishes on the menu. Today has been a very busy day with people coming for the lunch in large groups. ’’said Nitin Kawade, general manger of The President Hotel in Karama.
Many people ordered for takeaways as well.
Onam celebrations will continue over the coming weeks with many people still returning from their summer vacations.
Charitable organisations will also distribute food packets in areas with a heavy population of workers to mark the celebrations. “We want everyone to celebrate Onam and would be distributing food packets over the coming weeks,” said Juby Kuruvilla from the Federation of Kerala Colleges Alumni.
Entertainment
Various community organisations have organised entertainment events over the coming weeks.
The Federation of Kerala Colleges Alumni (FKCA), which is hosting the celebrations on September 14, will also hold a pookkalam, floral carpet arrangement, competition in the Millennium High School Auditorium.
Several Malayali organisations are holding day-long festivities at Al Nasr Leisure land which will include dance and music performances. Celebrations at the India Club in Oud Medha will start from this week.
