Kerala Samajam Jamshedpur to host Onam festivities after Covid hiatus

King Mahabali, Pulikkali to be star attraction

Jamshedpur, Sep 10: Kerala Samajan, Jamshedpur is back to hosting Onam celebrations after a hiatus of two years.

Kerala Samajam will be organising its 81st Onam celebrations on Sunday, September 10.

“Though Onam, a 10-day festival concluded on September 8, marking the day as  New Year for the Malayalee community, the celebrations in Kerala Samajam Jamshedpur will be held on Sunday as it is a week-off for everyone,” said Kerala Samajam Chairman KPG Nair.

Addressing a press meet in the school premises on Saturday, Nair informed that ‘Pookala Matsaram’, a flower decoration competition, has been arranged for members. As followed in tradition where Onam is celebrated to mark the return of King Mahabali to meet his Praja, Welcoming of Mahabali, is the star attraction of the day, where a member dressed up like a King strolls among the members and bless them on this auspicious day. Another special attraction is ‘Pulikkali’ (Tiger play), in which performers painted like tigers and leopards shake their bellies and dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil, said Kerala Samajam Chairman KPG Nair.

After Covid-19 pandemic, this Onam is an opportunity for the people to celebrate, Nair said.

He stated that ‘Kaikkottikali’, a graceful dance performed by women on Onam and a fun game of ‘Uriyadi’ has also been organized, in which a player tries to smash a swinging earthen pot. Ona Sadhya (Kerala style lunch shall be served on banana leaves) with more than 20 dishes is arranged for a minimum of 1,250 people.

Kerala Samajam President K Muralidharan said that City SP has been invited as the chief guest for the function on September 11. He informed that 15 teams will be part of the flower decoration competition ‘Pookala Matsaram’.

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of Kerala. It is a festival connected with the return of Asura (demon) King Mahabali, under whose reign everyone lived in happiness and equality.

Also present at the press meet were Board member M Mohan, General secretary Sunil Kumar, treasurer G Shijulal and others.