KOCHI: The Onam celebrations at the district level — `Lavanyam 2006' — will get under way on Sunday. The celebrations will be jointly organised by the State Tourism Department, District Administration and the Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish told reporters on Wednesday that the city and its surrounding areas would be lit up for the festival.

An hour-long fireworks display on the backwaters off Marine Drive will bring down the curtain on the celebrations on September 7.

The District Collector said he has requested the Merchants' Union to keep the shops open till 10 p.m. on the days of the celebrations. Private bus operators have been requested to extend services till 10.30 p.m.

The main programmes will be held at four venues.

Music concerts, Kathakali recital, instrumental music concert and folk art forms such as `Theyyam,' `Pulikali,' `Kavadi,' `Pandimelam' and `Chendamelam' on all the days will add flavour to the celebrations, said the District Collector.

Chief Justice of Kerala High Court V. K. Bali will inaugurate the celebrations at the Durbar Hall grounds at 6.30 p. m. on Sunday. `Pulikali' and `Chendamelam' will precede the inauguration.

A music concert led by Kumar Sanu, Hindi playback singer, will be held on the inaugural day.

The programmes on Monday will begin with `Sigarimelam' at 5 p. m.

Folk arts performance and Bharatanatyam by Urvashi Shobhana will be the highlight of the day's celebrations at the Durbar Hall Grounds.

On Tuesday, a `Musical night' led by Ranjini, Afzal and Jose and Party will be held at 7.30 p.m. at the Durbar Hall grounds.

A fusion music concert led by Mattannoor Shankrankutty and Balabhaskar will be held at 8 p. m. on Wednesday. M. Jayachandran will lead the music night on September 7 (Thursday) from 6.30 p. m.

The celebrations at Marine Drive will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday. `Karinthalakkoottam' will be one of the highlights of the day's celebrations.

`Bhavageethangal' and a comedy show will be held at 6.30 p.m. on Monday at Marine Drive. `Chendamelam' will begin at 5 p. m.

`Thamashabazar' and a violin jugalbandhi will be the highlights of the programme on Tuesday at Marine Drive. On Wednesday, there will be acrobatic dance by cine artistes and a dance recital by Suja Karthika at Marine Drive. On September 7 (Thursday), a musical programme led by K.P. Udayabhanu will be held.

There will also be programmes at the Children's Park from September 1 till September 10. Kathakali `Karnasapadham' will be staged by Kottakkal Shivaraman at the Maharaja's College Auditorium on Tuesday.

The Collector said the State Government had allotted Rs.25 lakh to the district for the Onam Week celebrations.

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