Kerala’s daughter-in-law Paris Laxmi was celebrating Onam with her students at the Kalashakti School of Art in Vaikom. A known face to Malayalis after her performance in Bangalore Days, Myrriam Paris Laxmi, originally from France, played the character of a foreigner who lands in India to learn dance. Her life wasn’t much different from what she portrayed.
After marrying Kathakali dancer Pallipuram Sunil, Laxmi has come to terms with her life as the daughter-in-law of Malayalis. She shares her experience, how Onam means more to her. “This year Thiruvonam marks our fourth wedding anniversary. We got married in 2012, just a few days before Onam. My parents and brother were here; it was our first Onam together. The first Onam after the marriage was really memorable; we made pookalam at home with my family.
Later, we started celebrating Onam with students; we have games, eat together and make the pookalam. This year, we organised a four-day festival with daily shows by professional artistes, workshops and documentary projection. This festival also marked the second anniversary of our theatre-cum-class room, the Kalashakti Mandapam. Overall, it was a grand event this time for us,” says Laxmi.
The artiste says Onam has become part of her life in spite of her foreign roots. “The first time I came to India, I was five years old. We used to visit India once every year, and I was familiar with the festivals. But since I married Sunil and have been staying with him here, it has become an integral part of my life. People coming together and forgetting all their problems mean a lot to me,” she shares.
Asked about the preparations of Onam Sadya, she shares, “I love the sadya, especially kichadi and pachadi and have actually tried to make all the Onam dishes. But it is definitely a challenge to make it in one day,” she laughs.
On her upcoming movies, the actress reveals. “I have acted in the upcoming movie Olappeeppi directed by Krish Kymal. I am paired with Biju Menon in the role of an American woman married to him. I have also acted in Nawal Enna Jewel by Renjilal Damodaran along with Swetha Menon and Bollywood actor Adil Hussain,” she signs off.
