‘Mahabli’ Lights Up Onam Celebration In Nelson

Onam celebrations in the South Island city of Nelson were nothing short of spectacular as Kiwi-Malayali Blint Varghese returned with his avatar of ‘Mahabali’ over the weekend. Talking about his transformation into the central figure of Onam folklore, Varghese expressed his honour in being able to bring the community together through the portrayal.

“The transformation into King Mahabali involved wearing traditional regal attire and donning the distinctive cosmetics associated with the character, which were specially bought from India.

“I was so excited to wear those king's cosmetics. It was a great honour since I got a turn to be king for the second time. It was a grand entry as I entered into the event with the escort of New Zealand Police,” he told The Indian Weekender.

The story of Mahabali and Onam underscores the timeless message of the triumph of goodness over adversity, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Hailing from the southern Indian state of Kerala, the 36- year-old found himself on a unique journey when he moved to New Zealand in 2016 to pursue higher education.

Settling down in various cities across the country, including Wellington, Christchurch and Blenheim, he
eventually made Nelson in South Island his home twoyears ago. While settling into his new life in New Zealand, Varghese, currently working as a community support worker at Te Whatu Ora, was determined to keep his cultural roots alive.

Keeping that in mind, he started actively participating in the Onam celebrations in Nelson. For the August 20 celebration at Saxton Pavilion, Varghese transformed into the legendary king once again, his second time doing so. Reflecting on the significance of Onam for the Kiwi- Malayali community, Varghese highlighted the importance of these cultural gatherings in fostering unity and nostalgia
among the diaspora.

“Living far away from their homeland, these celebrations serve as opportunities for community members to come together, share their heritage, and create lasting memories. Such events offer a platform for the younger generation to connect with their cultural heritage, enabling them to
understand and appreciate the customs and traditions of their roots. I'm proud of being a part of our fast growing Malayali community in Nelson. We have more than 150 active families, consisting of 400 people. The Nelson committee members took the initiative to make this event a
success.”

In a world that's becoming increasingly globalized, maintaining one's cultural heritage has become imperative. Living far from one's homeland can often evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the cultural traditions and festivities left behind.
Blint Varghese, a proud member of the Kiwi-Malayali community, found a way to bridge that gap by actively participating in and contributing to the celebration of Onam.