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Onam revelry
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The celebration by Maithri was at its traditional best
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ETHNIC FLAVOUR Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri performing Koodiyaattom
Kerala may be God's own country, but what's amazing is the number of people from that state who have made Hyderabad their own. And a testimony to it is the crowd that turned up when Maithri organised an event to celebrate Onam. Though these celebrations came in a little late after the festival, the wait was worth every minute. Held at Jayalakshmi Garden on Sunday, the festivity saw over 2000 Malayalis turning up at their splendour best.
The event that went on throughout the day also planned to coincide with the organisation's 11th anniversary celebrations.
Like the previous year, the programmes brought to life the Keralite spirits in every one present there. The day began with Koodiyattom, one of the oldest performing arts in India, performed by maestro Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri and his team. This tradition of Sanskrit theatre, now performed only in Kerala, is usually performed in special theatres called Koothambalams and by a specific community called Chaakyars. Following that was a musical extravaganza by playback singers Biju Narayanan and Sangeetha Prabhu. The two enthralled the audience with some lovely melodies keeping the occasion in mind. Suraj Venjaramoodu and troupe brought the house down with his mimicry. The heat did little to deter the crowd that was in splits every time he came up with his antics. The Onam festival is incomplete without the traditional Kaikottikalli dance and so it was obvious that it would be a part of the day's schedule.
If there were drinks flowing at one end, the customary Onasadya awaited gourmet lovers at the other. The spread included over 30 delicacies from Kerala cuisine, which was prepared by cooks who were brought in from Kerala especially for this occasion. To keep the authenticity intact, the chefs got along with them some ingredients that are not available here.
Other than that major electronic and mobile companies had also put up their stalls. The best part about the day's event was that it was so well organised - sufficient parking space and enough open spaces, which didn't make one feel claustrophobic.
Mangala Ramamoorthy
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