Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the state-level Onam week celebrations at a colourful event to be held at Nishagandhi Auditorium here on Tuesday.
Tourism minister A. P. Anil Kumar said the inaugural function would be followed by a performance of K. S. Chithra and her team.
Health minister V. S. Sivakumar will switch on the illuminations at 6.30 pm on Monday.
The government has earmarked Rs 3 crore for the state-wide Onam celebrations, of which Rs 30 lakh each has been allotted to Kochi and Kozhikode.
“Unlike in the past, we didn’t get much sponsorship this year as expected. We have to share this fund for every district,” he told a press conference here on Thursday.
“But we are doing our best to ensure that Onam week celebrations are held with the same grandeur like previous years. We don’t expect much revenue from the amusement park as Kanakakunnu Palace is undergoing renovation”.
He said some 5000 performing artists, including those from other states, would take part in the seven-day cultural extravaganza which would conclude on August 31 with a colourful procession from Vellayambalam to East Fort.
The chief minister will inaugurate the Phase-I Kanakakunnu Palace renovation on August 25. Palode Ravi MLA said Shangumugham would be one of the prime venues hosting special events for women and children this year. More child artistes would be included in the proclamation procession.
“Percussionist Sivamani would perform in the state capital after a gap of 10 years, and the event is planned at Nishagandhi,” he said.
