Keraleeya Samajam celebrates 60 years with Onam feast

Indore: Over 2,000 families gathered on Sunday as the Indore Keraleeya Samajam celebrated 60 years with an Onam feast at the Manmohan Mehta Sangeet Kala Academy in Scheme No. 78. The day-long event brought together the city's Malayali community to honour Kerala's traditions through music, dance, competitions, and the customary feast. Visitors were greeted by a large pookalam (floral rangoli) at the entrance, with five groups competing to create intricate designs. Women wore the traditional white-and-gold saree with gajra, men dressed in vestis, and children appeared in colourful festive attire, adding vibrancy to the celebrations. The rhythmic beats of the chenda, a traditional Kerala drum, echoed across the venue, heightening the energy during cultural performances. Anchors alternated between Hindi and Malayalam, helping attendees connect with the programme. "This year marks 60 years of Onam in Indore," said Joseph Thomas, President of Indore Keraleeya Samajam. "Onam is a festival of equality, as people of all faiths—Hindu, Muslim, Christian—come together. Preparing for it takes almost a month, and around 150 members travel from Kerala to help with arrangements," he added.The stage came alive with Bharatanatyam solo dances, fusion performances, and songs in Malayalam and Hindi. Children and adults performed enthusiastically, demonstrating the community's commitment to keeping Kerala's art forms alive far from their home state.Dignitaries present included chartered Aacountant TN Unni, Annapurna police station TI Ajay Nair, income tax officer Vipin Varghese, and Bishops Chako Thottumarikal and Thomas Mathew. Secretary Ramchandra Nair added that involving youngsters ensures the teachings of King Mahabali, who valued truth and caring for others, continue through generations.The celebration included Malayalee community members from different religions coming together. Talking about the inclusivity of the community, T.K. Narayan, a member of the association, noted the inclusive nature of the festival, highlighting that most performers were youngsters born in Indore who learn Malayalam, folk dances, and local traditions. Alongside the celebrations, the association also runs a school for underprivileged children, active for 22 years. The Onam Sadhya formed the final segment of the celebration. Served on banana leaves, it featured nearly 25 traditional dishes prepared by members who travelled from Kerala. The spread included rice, sambar, avial, thoran, parippu curry, olan, and a variety of pickles, complemented by crispy papadam and banana chips. The meal concluded with payasam, a sweet dessert that marked the festive finale. More than just a feast, the Sadhya brought the community together, celebrating Kerala's culinary heritage and the bonds that have kept Onam alive in Indore for six decades.