Onam celebrated in style
The Kerala Community in Wellington celebrated Onam recently with much pomp and fanfare.
The grand celebration was held on Saturday, August 28, under the vibrant leadership of Wellington Malayalee Association. Onam is the most important and awaited festival of Kerala where the traditional aspects of the state unravels in fullest measure.
Apart from being the harvest festival, ushering in a mood of celebration, it commemorates the golden reign of King Mahabali.
Crammed with guests from all communities the Indian Cultural Centre at Kilbirnie witnessed rich culture and tradition of kerala and was mesmerised by the versatile colour of it.
The event was inaugurated by United Future MP Peter Dunne who specifically mentioned the role smaller communities played to enrich the life of New Zealanders.
The Wellington city council was represented by Deputy Mayor Ian Mac Kinnen, who expressed his willingness to work more closely with such smaller but proactive communities like the Malayalee Community.
Jojo Jose, president of the Wellington Malayalee Association said, “In one year after the emancipation of this organisation we have come so forward and hosting the second biggest Indian community festival in Wellington, which is a great achievement.”
The official meeting was followed by cultural events which lasted for more than two hours.
The diversity of the programs and the charisma in its presentation was the result of a gallant effort by the Wellington Malayalee Association. The programmes depicted the cultural and traditional symbols of kerala and succeeded in showcasing its liveliness.
Rangapooja, the invocation which was themed on “Kerala Women” was once in a life time spectacle performed by 18 artists. It illustrated glimpses of kerala drumming as well as Kalari Payattu (Martial Arts).
Thiruvathira, Carnatic song, Mime and cinematic dance were few of the items performed by the community members. The audience were spellbound by the performance by 8-year-old Jessie Hillel, a rising star from the Malayalee Community who represented New Zealand in the World Vocal Performance in USA this year.
She sang You Rise Me Up which was an excellent choice for the occasion and received with big applause.
The event was not complete until Onasadya (special vegetarian meals for Onam) served on banana leaves for more than 750 guests. The meal requires elaborate cooking, included 13 variety of vegetarian dishes served with red rice from Kerala are served in precise order which was sensational experience for the guests.
The Onam 2010 was supported by people and organizations like Communities Action Trust New Zealand, Wellington Indian Association and similar ethnic communities.
“We us a community are glad to come forward and proclaim that India is not only Taj Mahal and Rajasthan but also greener south,” said Roshan K Sam, secretary of Wellington Malayalee Association.
The spirit of Onam is all about togetherness and inclusiveness and all keralites pledge to live in that spirit for the year ahead. Although Onam 2010 was the first ever cultural event organised by Wellington Malayalee Association, this South Indian Community is one of those smaller communities which are capable of trendsetting and one to look forward in years to come.
The Kerala Community in Wellington celebrated Onam recently with much pomp and fanfare.
The grand celebration was held on Saturday, August 28, under the vibrant leadership of Wellington Malayalee Association. Onam is the most important and awaited festival of Kerala where the traditional aspects...
The Kerala Community in Wellington celebrated Onam recently with much pomp and fanfare.
The grand celebration was held on Saturday, August 28, under the vibrant leadership of Wellington Malayalee Association. Onam is the most important and awaited festival of Kerala where the traditional aspects of the state unravels in fullest measure.
Apart from being the harvest festival, ushering in a mood of celebration, it commemorates the golden reign of King Mahabali.
Crammed with guests from all communities the Indian Cultural Centre at Kilbirnie witnessed rich culture and tradition of kerala and was mesmerised by the versatile colour of it.
The event was inaugurated by United Future MP Peter Dunne who specifically mentioned the role smaller communities played to enrich the life of New Zealanders.
The Wellington city council was represented by Deputy Mayor Ian Mac Kinnen, who expressed his willingness to work more closely with such smaller but proactive communities like the Malayalee Community.
Jojo Jose, president of the Wellington Malayalee Association said, “In one year after the emancipation of this organisation we have come so forward and hosting the second biggest Indian community festival in Wellington, which is a great achievement.”
The official meeting was followed by cultural events which lasted for more than two hours.
The diversity of the programs and the charisma in its presentation was the result of a gallant effort by the Wellington Malayalee Association. The programmes depicted the cultural and traditional symbols of kerala and succeeded in showcasing its liveliness.
Rangapooja, the invocation which was themed on “Kerala Women” was once in a life time spectacle performed by 18 artists. It illustrated glimpses of kerala drumming as well as Kalari Payattu (Martial Arts).
Thiruvathira, Carnatic song, Mime and cinematic dance were few of the items performed by the community members. The audience were spellbound by the performance by 8-year-old Jessie Hillel, a rising star from the Malayalee Community who represented New Zealand in the World Vocal Performance in USA this year.
She sang You Rise Me Up which was an excellent choice for the occasion and received with big applause.
The event was not complete until Onasadya (special vegetarian meals for Onam) served on banana leaves for more than 750 guests. The meal requires elaborate cooking, included 13 variety of vegetarian dishes served with red rice from Kerala are served in precise order which was sensational experience for the guests.
The Onam 2010 was supported by people and organizations like Communities Action Trust New Zealand, Wellington Indian Association and similar ethnic communities.
“We us a community are glad to come forward and proclaim that India is not only Taj Mahal and Rajasthan but also greener south,” said Roshan K Sam, secretary of Wellington Malayalee Association.
The spirit of Onam is all about togetherness and inclusiveness and all keralites pledge to live in that spirit for the year ahead. Although Onam 2010 was the first ever cultural event organised by Wellington Malayalee Association, this South Indian Community is one of those smaller communities which are capable of trendsetting and one to look forward in years to come.
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