KOCHI: Hundreds of people gathered along the narrow roads of the royal town of Tripunithura for a trip down memory lane on Sunday as the cultural procession Athachamayam – 2016 was taken out in its traditional gaiety with various art forms. Over the years, the Athaghosham in Tripunithura still retains its majestic charm and is being conducted in a spectacular manner. People from all walks of life actively participated in the people's festival which heralds the formal beginning of the 10-day Onam celebrations in the state.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the public meeting ahead of the cultural procession at the Boys’ High School at Atham Nagar. M. Swaraj, MLA, presided over. Anoop Jacob, MLA, and P. Rajeev were also attended. Municipal Chairperson Chandrika Devi received the Atham flag on Saturday from the representatives of the Cochin royal family on the Hill Palace premises. Led by Tripunithura municipal councillors, school and college students, Kudumbashree workers, various bands, percussion artists, kavadi and a multitude of artists depicting various traditional art forms added richness to the procession.
Artists perform during the 'Athachamayam' procession marking the festivities ahead of Onam at Tripunithura near Kochi on Sunday. (Photo: DC)
Folk art forms such as Theyyam, Yakshaganam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, ammankudam, pulikali, Kathakali, aatakavadi, panjavadyam, chendamelam etc were displayed in the parade. Floats and tableau depicting immortal moments from epics as well as current social issues also added colour and substance to the procession. Mena and women dressed as gods and goddesses and characters of myths and legends lent vibrant colours to the procession. Meanwhile, all roads leading to Tripunithura were jam-packed and police personnel had a tough time managing the crowd and diverting vehicles through alternative routes. Traffic through the town was regularised from 8.00 am. Buses and other vehicles were rerouted through the mini bye-pass.
