Udupi: Amid the celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami and Vitlapindi Mahotsava, Udupi witnessed a vibrant celebration of Kerala’s traditional festival of Onam. The second annual Onam celebration organised by Kerala Samaj Udupi (R) at Amrit Garden in Ambagil brought together the Malayali community and local residents through music, dance, sports, cultural programmes and traditional food.
Neena Kurup inaugurates celebration
Malayalam film actress Neena Kurup inaugurated the programme. Speaking on the occasion, she said Onam is one of Kerala’s major festivals and is celebrated with great enthusiasm for ten days across the state.
She expressed happiness that the festival was being celebrated on such a grand scale outside Kerala and said it was a matter of pride for the Malayali community.
Udupi District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, who attended the programme as the chief guest, extended his wishes to the organisers and participants.
Kerala Samaj highlights growing participation
Kerala Samaj Udupi president Arun Kumar said that although the organisation was established only a few years ago, its first Onam celebration received an overwhelming response.
He said the second edition had exceeded expectations, with enthusiastic participation from members of the Kerala Samaj as well as people from across Udupi district. He added that the support from the community had further strengthened the organisation.
Cultural performances become major attraction
The celebration featured a wide range of cultural programmes showcasing the rich traditions of Kerala. The melodious performance by Kerala’s young singer Rania Rafique emerged as one of the major attractions of the event and won appreciation from music lovers.
Traditional dance forms, including Thiruvathira and Mohiniyattam, were presented during the programme and drew the attention of the audience. A fashion show featuring members of the younger generation added further colour and excitement to the celebrations.
The programmes provided an opportunity for the Malayali community to showcase the artistic traditions of Kerala while also encouraging younger participants to remain connected with their cultural heritage.
Sports and traditional activities add excitement
The celebrations also included a variety of outdoor sports and traditional activities. Community members and youngsters participated enthusiastically in events such as the pot-breaking competition and tug-of-war.
The sporting events created a lively atmosphere and encouraged participation across different age groups. The combination of cultural performances, music, dance and traditional games gave the celebration a festive and community-oriented character.
Udupi witnesses Kerala’s cultural diversity
The Onam celebration served as a platform for the Malayali community residing in Udupi to introduce the region’s people to the art, culture, traditions and culinary diversity of Kerala.
Despite being celebrated away from their home state, the festival retained the traditional spirit of Onam while creating an opportunity for people from different communities to come together.
Large numbers of people from Udupi also participated in the programme, experiencing Kerala’s cultural richness through its traditional performances, games, music and food.
The second annual Onam celebration by Kerala Samaj Udupi thus emerged as a colourful gathering that strengthened community bonds while promoting cultural exchange between Kerala and coastal Karnataka.