Kerala - Kannur   

Onam celebrated with gaiety

Staff Reporter

People prefer to experience the spirit of the festival indoors

CELEBRATING ONAM: A Kalaripayattu perfomance organised by the District Kalaripayattu Association as part of the Onam celebration by the District Tourism Promotion Council in Kannur on Tuesday.

KANNUR: Thiruvonam was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm as people here preferred to experience the spirit of the festival in their homes.

The celebration here on Tuesday was mostly held in households as people chose to spend the day with families, friends and relatives.

It was a quiet day in the town till the afternoon and most of the people remained indoors watching the variety of programmes offered by TV channels.

It was also a day of rest for many after hectic shopping over the past few days.

Most of the households prepared the traditional `onasadya'.

The Payyambalam beach and park were the destinations of people who wanted to experience the spirit of the festivity outside their homes.

The cultural programmes organised by the District Promotion Council on the beach park in the evening turned out to be a major attraction.

Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy was the chief guest at the function. Performance of kalaripayattu feats under the auspices of the District Kalaripayattu Association was followed by a classical music concert on guitar by Trichambaram Murali.

A rural and Adivasi cultural function was held on the Muzhappilangad beach here under the auspices of the Adventure Academy.

Glittering celebration

Our Kozhikode Staff Reporter adds:

Tuesday's Onam celebrations, organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council and Department of Tourism, began with taekwondo performances at the Indoor Stadium here.

`Thayambaka' performances and folk arts like `Kuthirakkolam' and `Kummattikali' were held. `Onapattukkal,' and `Nadanpattukal,' rendered at Mananchira in the city, added glitter to the celebrations.

Carnatic music buffs thronged the Jaya Auditorium where T.V. Ramprasad from Chennai enthralled the audience with his vocal concert. This was followed by a Bharathanatyam recital by Seema Jawahar of Bangalore.

The literary festival started with Kozhikode Doordarshan Kendra Director C.P. Rajasekharan inaugurating the event. `Matha Perambra' presented a visual presentation — veerasmrithi, — based on the life of legendary freedom fighter Pazhassi Raja, who fought with the tribals in Wayanad. `Kavya Sameeksha' directed by Kanaka Das was also performed.

On Wednesday, Vijaya Siva and party is to present a Carnatic concert at the Jaya Auditorium at 5 p.m. Mohiniyattam by Vineetha Nedungadi will be held at the same venue at 7.45 p.m. Mananchira Square will witness `Pookkavadi,' `Karakattom,' `Kavadiyattom' and `Poikkuthira' from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. `Mappila Kolkkali' and Adivasi dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Singer K.P. Udayabhanu and party will present a programme `Old is Gold' at Government Model Higher Secondary School. A seminar on poetry and a meeting of poets will be organised at the Town Hall at 2 p.m.

Indoor Stadium will be the venue for sports and games on all the days. Yoga, wrestling and martial arts will be performed.

Onam celebrations are also being held at Vadkara, Koilandi and Thusharagiri.

The streets wore a deserted look till Tuesday afternoon on Thiruvonam day. Business establishments downed shutters for the day.

A large number of people thronged the beach in the evening.

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