The ‘Onam Sadhya’ was held on August 23rd, 2002. Despite the burning heat of August, the event was held in two shifts, at 11am and 1pm. Friday being the official holiday at the Cultural Capital, the Keralite festival attracted people from different ethnic and religious groups. The volunteers made sure that no visitor left the premises without tasting every rasam and paaysam.
The event was also an opportunity for some to display their expertise at ethnic clothing.
The bucket in place of the tray, the leaf in place of the plate, the volunteer’s shouting in place of the waiter’s silence- perhaps this is what makes Onam as ponn-Onam (golden Onam) !
Keralites around the world celebrated Onam, the festival of flowers Kerala. Different organizations had arranged for the Pookalam competitions (floral decorations).
Some snapshots of the Onam celebrations held at Sharjah- The Cultural Capital of Arab world- on 31 Aug 2001.
The venue
Visitors
‘Pookalam’ at the entrance of the venue
The first prize winner of the ‘Pookalam competition’
Saare Jahan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara… ‘Keralam Ennu Kettaal…’
Photos by Ajeeb.