Mangaluru: The spirit of Onam came alive at Expert PU College, Kodialbail, as students and staff came together to celebrate Kerala’s rich cultural heritage with colour, tradition and festive enthusiasm. The celebration brought the campus alive with traditional elements, including a beautifully designed Pookkalam, a ceremonial lamp-lighting and a graceful Thiruvathirakkali performance by members of the college staff.
The celebration provided students with an opportunity to experience and appreciate the cultural traditions associated with Onam while fostering a sense of togetherness on the campus. The festival, widely celebrated as an important cultural occasion in Kerala, is associated with themes of prosperity, harmony, community and gratitude.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Dr Ushaprabha N Nayak, vice-chairperson of Expert Group of Institutions. The lighting of the lamp marked the formal beginning of the festivities and set a traditional tone for the celebrations.
Pookkalam adds colour to the celebrations
One of the prominent attractions of the Onam programme was the Pookkalam created by the students.
A Pookkalam is a traditional floral arrangement associated with Onam celebrations. Usually created using flowers arranged in intricate patterns, it is an important visual expression of the festival and is traditionally prepared in homes, schools and community spaces during the celebrations.
At Expert PU College, the floral design reflected the creativity and teamwork of the students. The colourful arrangement added a festive character to the campus and became one of the highlights of the programme.
Beyond its decorative appeal, the activity also gave students an opportunity to work together and participate in a traditional cultural practice.
Such activities can help young people understand cultural traditions through participation rather than merely learning about them in classrooms.
The collective effort involved in creating a Pookkalam also reflects one of the central aspects of Onam celebrations — coming together as a community.
Staff present traditional Kerala attire
The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by the traditional attire worn by the college staff.
The women staff members appeared in elegant Kasavu sarees, while the men wore Kaili mundu, giving the campus a distinctly Kerala-inspired appearance.
Traditional clothing forms an important part of cultural celebrations and adds a visual connection to the customs associated with a festival.
The participation of the staff in traditional attire also helped create a shared festive atmosphere between teachers and students.
For a celebration held in an educational institution, such participation can make cultural programmes more engaging and provide students with an opportunity to see traditions being observed collectively within their campus community.
Thiruvathirakkali performance brings tradition to campus
The cultural programme also featured a graceful Thiruvathirakkali performance by the college staff.
Thiruvathirakkali, a traditional dance associated with Kerala, is characterised by coordinated movements and rhythmic presentation. The performance at Expert PU College added a cultural dimension to the celebrations and highlighted the artistic traditions connected with the state.
The coordinated performance by the staff captured the festive mood and gave students an opportunity to witness a traditional art form as part of the Onam programme. (Daijiworld)
Cultural performances such as these also help introduce younger generations to traditional art forms that have been passed down over several generations.
The performance complemented the floral decorations and traditional attire, bringing together several recognisable elements of Kerala’s cultural heritage in a single campus celebration.
Celebration promotes cultural appreciation
Onam is traditionally associated with the legendary King Mahabali and is widely celebrated as a festival symbolising prosperity, harmony and well-being.
While the festival has strong cultural roots in Kerala, Onam celebrations are now held by Malayali communities and institutions across India and in different parts of the world.
Mangaluru, with its close cultural and geographical links with Kerala, has a strong connection with Kerala’s traditions. Celebrations in educational institutions therefore provide an opportunity for students from different backgrounds to learn about and participate in cultural practices.
At Expert PU College, the celebration brought students and staff together in a festive setting while highlighting the traditions and values associated with Onam.
The programme also demonstrated how educational campuses can serve as spaces where different cultural traditions are appreciated and shared.
Students take part in a spirit of togetherness
The creation of the Pookkalam was particularly significant because it involved creativity and teamwork among students.
Campus celebrations often provide students with opportunities to work collectively outside the regular academic environment. Activities requiring cooperation can encourage communication, coordination and a sense of responsibility.
In the case of the Onam celebration, the floral arrangement became more than a decorative feature. It represented the collective participation of students in bringing a traditional celebration to life.
The festive programme also allowed students to interact with staff members in a setting different from their routine academic schedule.
Such occasions can contribute to a positive campus atmosphere and strengthen a sense of belonging among members of an educational institution.
Faculty members join the festivities
The celebration was attended by several members of the college administration and faculty.
Prof Ramachandra Bhat, principal of Expert PU College, Kodialbail, was present along with B Vinay Kumar, academic member and mathematics lecturer, and Karunakar Balkur, coaching head and Kannada lecturer. Other members of the staff also participated in the programme. (Daijiworld)
Their participation reflected the collective nature of the celebration, with members of the institution joining students in marking the festival.
The presence of the teaching and administrative staff also helped give the programme a sense of institutional participation rather than making it solely a student activity.
Festivals offer learning beyond the classroom
Cultural celebrations in educational institutions can complement academic learning by giving students opportunities to understand traditions, customs and artistic expressions.
For pre-university students, whose daily routines often focus heavily on academic preparation and competitive examinations, such occasions can provide a welcome opportunity to engage in cultural and creative activities.
Expert PU College has previously organised programmes combining academic development with activities aimed at students’ broader development. Its first PUC orientation programmes, for example, have emphasised critical thinking and participation in in-house and inter-collegiate activities alongside academic preparation.
The Onam programme similarly offered a break from the regular academic routine while encouraging students to participate in a cultural celebration.
Mangaluru’s multicultural character reflected
Mangaluru has long been home to communities with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Celebrations of festivals from neighbouring regions add to the city’s multicultural character.
Onam celebrations in educational institutions can be particularly meaningful in such an environment because they allow students from different communities to experience traditions that may not be part of their own family celebrations.
The celebration at Expert PU College thus became an occasion not only to mark Onam but also to share an aspect of Kerala’s cultural heritage with the wider campus community.
The combination of traditional dress, floral art, music and dance created a setting where students could experience the festival in a lively and participatory manner.
A celebration rooted in tradition and togetherness
The Onam programme at Expert PU College, Kodialbail, brought together several traditional elements in a simple yet colourful celebration.
From the ceremonial lighting of the lamp to the student-created Pookkalam and the staff’s Thiruvathirakkali performance, each part of the programme contributed to the festive atmosphere.
The traditional Kasavu sarees and Kaili mundu worn by the staff further strengthened the connection with Kerala’s cultural heritage. (Daijiworld)
More importantly, the celebration brought students and staff together in a spirit of joy and participation.
As educational institutions increasingly recognise the value of holistic development, cultural programmes can provide students with opportunities to develop creativity, teamwork and appreciation for India’s diverse traditions.
The Onam celebration at Expert PU College served as a vibrant reminder that education extends beyond textbooks and examinations. By bringing tradition, art and community spirit into the campus, the programme gave students a chance to celebrate cultural heritage while sharing the festive spirit with their teachers and peers.