Malayalis from across Goa celebrate Onam at Bicholim

Times of India | 7 hours ago | 19-09-2022 | 04:33 am

Keri/Bicholim: Members of the Malayali community spread across Goa came together to celebrate Kerala’s harvest festival ‘Onam’ at the Mahamaya temple premises in Bicholim, on Sunday. The women wore the trademark cream-coloured ‘Kerala’ saree with golden border, while the men sported the traditional mundu.Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye, who was the chief guest at the event, said that the Malayali community are a peace-loving people and have immense contribution in the overall development of Goa. President of the association Jayaprakash P V said Onam marks the homecoming of the mythological king Mahabali. Besides various cultural performances, the celebrations also saw a vegetarian spread of the traditional Onam sadhya being served by Kalapaka Cultural Association. Almost 26 vegetarian dishes were served as part of the sadhya, including parboiled brown rice and delicious tangy curries and vegetables cooked with aromatic spices, like morru kachiyatha, parippu, kootu and sambhar.The traditional floral rangoli ‘pookkalam’ was designed on the floor as a symbolic welcome to king Mahabali. Folk songs and music were presented and Udayan kundaguzhi enthralled the audience with the performance of the folk mask dance, kummattikali.Akhil Rajgopalan, 21, who is a native of Kerala, but born and brought up in Goa, said, “Every year we eagerly wait to participate in the festivities of Onam as it connects us to our Malayali cultural values and heritage associated with the family.”Sanskruti Naik, from Mencurem, Bicholim, said, “This celebration showcases the richness of Indian culture along with the socio-cultural values that are cherished by the Keralites. We got the opportunity to enjoy delicious and varied vegetarian recipes from Kerala.”

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Times of India | 1 day ago | 18-09-2022 | 04:31 am

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