Thiruvananthapuram: With just one day to go before Thiruvonam, the entire district is in the grip of the festival fever. Various social and cultural organisations, sports clubs, libraries, trade unions and residents' associations have taken the initiative to organise Onam celebrations at different places in the city and the suburban areas.

Traditional sports

Apart from the staple fare of Athapookkalam and Onasadya, some organisations have arranged cultural competitions and sports events for men, women and children. This is the only time of the year when folk arts and sports events such as Thalappanthukali are staged in the rural areas.

The Onam festivities under the auspices of the District Tourism Promotion Council would be concentrated at seven locations, namely Aakulam, Kovalam, Thiruvallam, Varkala, Aruvikkara, Chirayinkeezh and Neyyar Dam.

Cultural programmes

The main celebrations at Aakulam include cultural programmes by residents associations, Mimics Mamangam, Kalarippayat and programmes by the Nedumangad and Neyyatinkara tourism clubs.

The two-day Onam celebrations at Kovalam will take off on September 5 with a concert by Sargam Voice. Another music programme will be conducted by Metro Voice on September 6.

The DTPC has joined hands with the Thiruvallom Jalotasava Samiti for the three-day event at Thiruvallom from September 4. A boat procession will be taken out on the Karamana river from Karamana to Thiruvallom on September 6. Music and dance programmes will be staged on the three days.

Competitions

The festivities at Varkala will begin with an Athapookkalam competition on Saturday and continue up to September 7.

A variety of programmes including tug of war, marathon and stage events such as mimics and cinematic dance form the fare. The four-day celebrations at Aruvikkara will start on September 4. Mimics, comedy show, ganamela and drama are some of the main events to be organised here.

Water sports

A water sports event featuring swimming contest and boat races in various categories such as catamaran, Odivallam, Iruttukuthivallam and sea going vessels is the highlight of the Onam celebrations in Chirayinkeezh on September 6. A boat procession, with as many as 40 floats and musical troupes, will be taken out at the end of the competitions. A fireworks display has also been planned.

The DTPC has teamed up with the Pulimoottilkadavil gram panchayat and various other organisations to host the Jalotsavam in Chirayinkeezh. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran are scheduled to be the chief guests.

Pageantry

The four-day celebrations at Neyyar Dam will begin on September 4 with a concert by Grace Voice, Kollam. A colourful pageantry will be taken out from Kallikad to Neyyar Dam on September 6. The area will be illuminated on all four days.

The Kayal Theeram Residents Association at Kakkamoola, Kalliyoor has made elaborate arrangements for the Onam celebrations on the banks of the Vellayani lake on September 4 and 5.

The event will start on Monday with a marathon race. A cricket match, thalappanthukali and other sporting events have also been included in the list of programmes. Prizes will be given for the winners in various categories.

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