Onam celebrations go virtual this year too

Akansha Kumari and Renuka Suryavanshi

Onam is an annual harvest festival observed in Kerala, India’s southernmost state. It is the state’s official festival and includes a variety of cultural events, making it an important annual event for Keralites. 

Pune Pulse spoke with Jaya Santosh, an IT professional from Hinjewadi. She elaborated how the traditional event is celebrated and how the pandemic has changed the way of the celebrations.

“Due to the pandemic, we could not make it a grand celebration but yes this is our traditional festival and we will be making it memorable with family, friends and relatives by meeting virtually, and with all the decoration of floral and traditional food of Kerala. May the colour of pookalams bring positivity and make this Onam the most beautiful festival occasion,” said Jaya Santosh. 

Onam Sadhya is one of the most important meals comprising of over 21 items in the meal. Neethi Jacob from Nee’s Tiffin said, “Every year we celebrate Onam by relishing on Onam Sadhya. This year we decided to make it on a grand scale offering Sadhya meals to people. And so far we have received amazing response to it. Onam Sadhya comprises of several dry, wet, sweet, sour, tangy dishes making it a wholesome meal served on a Banana leaf.” 

 
Onam is incomplete without a festival feast. It is referred to as Onasadya traditionally. It consists of a number of varieties of vegetarian dishes and sweets. Pookalam (floral decoration) is made by family members which is a carpet of flowers. Men and women wear traditional clothes on this day. The Kasavu Saree is particularly worn on this day by ladies and mundu and shirt by men.
 

Apart from the mythical aspect of King Mahabali. Onam is celebrated to mark the abundance of agricultural produce received due to the favourable rains of the previous month. Onam also signifies the removal of poverty and the establishment of prosperity.  In Pune as well as all parts of the world where Keralites are settled. Onam is a month-long celebration with community participation in cultural and sports events and of course the grand feast. In Pune, it is celebrated across the city by more than 4 lakh people.

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“Onam reminds us of the need for a perfect Ruler who takes the people along with him. Maintain equality, fearlessness, hunger-free, respect for women, children and the underprivileged. Listen to the words from elders and experienced create harmony among people, ” said K Harinarayan from Poona Keraleeya Samajam while speaking with Pune Pulse.

Another resident of NIBM road said, “We celebrated it last week only as we were travelling. Today, we are meeting our friends for a quite lunch, while others we would meeting virtually.”