Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Keralites recreate the Mahabali era

PHOTO: RAJU V

Star performers: Folk artistes from Kerala performing at the Onam celebrations in Vijayawada on Sunday. —

VIJAYAWADA: It was like a trip to mini Kerala, God’s own country. The incessant thumping of drums produced a booming, reverberating sound, as folk artistes performed with gusto a traditional temple dance of Kerala to welcome visitors into Fr. Devaiah auditorium on Andhra Loyola College campus on Sunday.

Members of the Kerala Club, Vijayawada, recreated the magic of Mahabali era as part of the belated celebration of Onam, which coincided with the 14th anniversary of the club. The delay in holding of the celebrations did not diminish the festive spirit that brought together hundreds of Malayalis on a common platform.

To lend an authentic touch of the Mahabali period to the festivities, a member who draped himself in regal dazzling attire enacted the role of the virtuous king and stood welcoming the guests at the main entrance. Attempting to make a home away from their native land, the city Keralites strived to ensure that the enthusiasm of members did not wane and the traditional and cultural ambience at the venue remained intact. The occasion served as a pleasant interlude in the mundane flow of life. The dance, the music and the ritual, everything added to the joyful rhythm that enveloped the vicinity.

Krishna district Collector Sailaja Ramayier, who was the chief guest of the occasion, was ushered in by traditionally clad Malayali women. A group of girls draped in white saris with gold colour borders and their locks braided with elegant jasmine flowers, showered petals on the guest.

The first item of the show began on a traditional note with presentation of Thiruvathira Kalli. What followed was sheer magic of A.R. Rahman’s famous patriotic number maa tujhe salaam… teamed with great choreography of the ballet that culminated in a multi-hued tableau. A peppy dandiya dance on dhum…dhum…dhol baaje… triggered a new vigour among the younger lot who broke into a jig in the aisles.

Ms. Ramaiyer complimented the “enterprising community” for retaining the inclusiveness of the Malayali culture.

Pointing out that Onam recreated the magic of King Mahabali whose rule was deemed as golden age in the ancient history of Kerala, she said the last time she attended an Onam function was 20 years ago in Kerala.

After the song-dance saga, a sumptuous fare awaited the revellers who feasted on the indispensable Onam Sadhya, spread out by professional cooks brought in from Kerala. The smorgasbord included traditional Kerala dishes like sambar, avail, koottu curry, moleesam and special payasams.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

TTD’s service activities come in for all-round praise
Keralites recreate the Mahabali era
National throwball tourney next year
‘Chiranjeevi has joined politics to fight corruption’
TDP plans campaign on price rise
Relocation leaves them in the lurch
Children administered pulse polio drops
Four of marriage party feared drowned
Lal Bahadur Sastry a great man
Less importance to useful bus services
Vijayawada today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu