Christchurch's Malayali community never disappoints when it comes to the Onam celebrations. Same was the case on Saturday, August 26, when first of the two Onam celebrations scheduled in the city was held, organised by the Christchurch Kerala Association (CKA) and attended by more than 300 people.
Saturday, September 2 will see another one by the city-based social organisation Kerala Cultural Forum.
Mr Mathew Rafi Mathews, President of CKA, said, “Celebrations started at 10 a.m. with a few Malayali dance and music performances, most notable among those was the Thiruvathira, a traditional dance of Kerala.
"Our team at CKA also put in a lot of hard work in the traditional ritual laying of Pookalam or floral carpet. A major event of the day was the Miss Malayali Manga contest, and the highlight, of course, was the sumptuous Onam Sadya feast at the end.”
The sold-out event had National MPs Nicky Wagner and Jo Hayes, as well as Labour candidate for Ilam Anthony Rimell, attending as chief guests, who shared with the gathering their happiness in getting to know the Malayalee culture first-hand and seeing it thrive in New Zealand.