As the Onam festival approaches, a large number of expatriates from the subcontinent are eagerly preparing to curate a diverse array of socio-cultural and gastronomic events throughout September and October this year. Onam is a festival observed primarily by Kerala's Hindu community. Its appeal is so vast that it ignites a sense of enthusiasm among the expatriate population, who are dedicated to showcasing the vibrancy of their heritage through an assortment of engaging activities, reflecting the essence of Onam and fostering a strong sense of community and tradition.
Hundreds of people, men, women and children, gather at hotels, homes and other places to participate in activities commemorating the festival season, culminating in a sumptuous feast called 'sadya', a several-course dish almost every weekend through these three months.
A series of events have already been announced since the beginning of the month by regional wings and groups of people under the Indian Social Club, the only authorised body with the Ministry of Social Development.
While the celebrations of the 'Palakkad Association', a group of people from this Valluvanadan district is scheduled to be held on September 1 and 2 at Al Falaj Hotel hosting acclaimed classical dancer Methil Devika, the Kairali Seeb Kootayma too is hosting hundreds of visitors on the same day, September 1 along with another group of people called Kodungallur Koottayma on the same day.
The Kerala Wing, a regional wing under the Indian Social Club, is hosting their well-wishers on September 8 and 9 at Al Falaj Hotel, while the NSS (Nair Service Society) events are scheduled to be held on September 15, hosting more than 1,500 guests to their celebrations on September 14 and 15 where Saiju Kurup, acclaimed film actor from Kerala will be the chief guest.
Malayalam Wing will celebrate Onam on September 22 and 23 at Al Falaj with India's 'Dialysis Man' Ananda Kumar, who has successfully helped hundreds of thousands of dialysis sessions for the needy, in attendance.
The World Malayali Federation (WMF) will host all who wish to experience Onam celebrations with Maryam al Zadjali, Chair- Omani Women's Association, as the chief guest at the College of Banking and Financial Studies on October 07. SNDP, another group of people, has preparations for a September 29 celebration with their leader, Vellappalli Nateshan, in attendance in Bausher, while Snehatheeram Onam is scheduled for October 01. Muscat Moms, a group of mothers in Muscat, will share the joy of Onam on September 08 at Avenues Mall as Harippad Koottayma, a group of people from the district of Alappuzha, is charted to be on October 06 Al Falaj
"These celebrations are directly supporting the economy in a desirable scale as hundreds of people gather, dine together, and celebrate in a grand manner the cost of which will run several thousands of Rials as they source local products and services," opines Davis Kallukkaran, Managing Partner at E&Y Oman Audit Firm.
Unlike other years, the beginning of the festivities was marked at RJ's Music and Dance Institute last weekend with pomp and glitter, where scores of families took part. Usually, Onam celebrations begin towards the 'Atham' 10 and after, which falls on 29.
To tap this opportunity, shopping malls and hypermarket chains have devised plans to keep their customers entertained and celebrate Onam together. KM Trading, one of the leading hypermarkets in Oman, has announced that it is hosting Onam celebrations with melodious songs by 'Sing and Win', allowing customers to cherish their favourite music and celebrate together by sending their music tracks.
A 'feast of payasam', a chilled South Asian dessert made from slow-cooked rice, milk, and sugar, will be conducted for those yearning customers who celebrate Onam on August 31.
"Onam celebrations are all the more vibrant this year as many took a break and travelled home last year during the first post-covid festival season last year," admits Jayakumar Vallickavu, an entrepreneur and media person. "This year, most of them opted to stay back and retrieve the charm they lost last year and make the most of the season," he adds.
Onam, a major annual event for Keralites, commemorates King Mahabali and Vamana. Onam is also the official festival of the state and includes a spectrum of cultural events. And with all the mass feasts and shopping, the festivities are no doubt to create a ripple effect in the socio-economic scenario of the country.
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