KAKINADA: Kerala families in Kakinada are gearing up for the elaborate celebrations of Onam festival well in advance. The community people say that celebrations include traditional way of dressing, cooking food, sharing food and Pookalam – a flower mat. The mat is visible outside every household. According to a legend, the mat is a symbol of welcoming King Mahabali and on the eve of Onam, traditional rituals are performed. People celebrate the occasion with a grand feast in which everyone takes part.
Ms Ginu said that to welcome the ‘golden ruler’ people make flower mats known as Pookalam like a flower rangoli in their courtyards and also prepare a grand meal called the ‘Onam Sadya.’ Celebrations are being held with traditional dance, music and game that are collectively called Onakalikal. “This is done by Malayali familes across the world. It is a tradition of bringing the festival to Kakinada, and to encourage a feeling of universal brotherhood. We are curious to teach kids our culture and tradition,” a Psychology counsellor Ms Ginu who made the Pooklam flower show in her house with the help of her children Minu and Rinu and his husband Vinu.
Kerala organisation in Hyderabad celebtrated Onam last Sunday at Ravindra Bharathi and hed many cultural competitions. Onam, which is celebrated in Kerala in fond memory of king Mahabali, who reportedly ruled the state. It is also celebrated as a harvest festival and there are many cultural activties that are held during this ten-day period.
