The Malayali group welcomes the king into the event. Photos: Supplied
In celebration of Onam, a Hindu harvest festival, the local Malayali group hosted an event called Ponnona Pulari 2024 on Saturday, September 21.
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Onam is the biggest celebration in the south Indian state of Kerala, where the Malayalam language is spoken.
More than 30 families constitute a group of about 145 people in the area, including Echuca and Kyabram, who are from Kerala and brought their festivities and culture with them.
Simi Varghese describes the traditional food, onam sadhya, to Julie Moyle.
Nikhil Mathews, Sarath Velayudan Pillai, Ratheesh Vijayan, Jino Saju Mathew, Shebin Lukose and Premsarin Ramakrishnan with the pookalam (flower design).
For Onam, Ratheesh Vijayan coordinated a Ponnona Pulari event, marked by the wearing of traditional dress; creation of pookalam, a rangoli made from flower petals; the lighting of a nilavilakku, a traditional lamp; song and dance; and a feast known as onam sadya.
Onam was marked from September 14 to 17 this year, changing each year with the Hindu calendar.
Abel Libin, dressed as King Mahabali, and Libin Baby.
Attendees light the nilavilakku (lamp).
The event was hosted at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Echuca, with attendees from the Malayali community, as well as guests welcomed to enjoy an Onam celebration for the first time.
Mr Vijayan would like to credit the support of Libin Baby, Sarath Pillai, Shebin Lukose, Jino Saju Mathew, Sijin Pepe George, Simi Ratheesh, Jeema Lijo, Anitha Sarath and Ashima Moideen.
Ponnona Pulari 2024 coordinator Ratheesh Vijayan at the event.
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