The Indian diaspora across Australia recently celebrated Onam, the Hindu harvest festival from the Indian state of Kerala. The celebrations included brilliant cultural events bringing to life the rich tapestry of ancient India.
The World Malayalee Council (WMC) Far East Asia and Australia Region, in collaboration with Metro Malayalam, hosted spectacular Onam celebrations at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith. The event was a beautiful showcase of unity, cultural diversity, and the rich heritage of Kerala, drawing attendees from various backgrounds and cultures.
The event saw the participation of over 300 Indian-Australian female artists from Sydney who put their heart and soul into their performances.
The “Voice of Kerala” event, orchestrated by Dr. Smitha Balu and her team, added a musical flair to the celebration with the musical segment being presented by the talented group Team ‘Utsavayaanam.’ It featured a special song penned by Kerala’s own Prof. V Madhusoodhanan Nair and composed by the renowned Chirayankeezhu Sudheesh, blending classical charm with folk undertone. The concluding performance from the Carnatic tradition by K C Keshava Pillai, wrapped up the segment on a high note.
The celebration featured a variety of performances, primarily showcasing Kerala’s traditional art forms. Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kalaripayattu, Theyyam, and several other traditional art forms were brought to life by Manisha Mohandas Vipin and her team, captivating the audience with their artistry.
In addition to these vibrant acts, the Kerala Art Forms segment uniquely portrayed Kerala’s heritage through seven different acts, including a contemporary display inspired by Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings and a theatrical movement piece called ‘Saga of White and Gold’, visualizing Kerala’s ritualistic art forms. The audience was further treated to the powerful ‘Rhythm of Kalari’, a concept highlighting women empowerment through Kalari and classical dance.
The stage came alive with the rhythms and colors of Kerala as performers brought the essence of Onam to life. A fashion show led by Beena C. Menon and her team also showcased various items, including costumes of traditional brides of Kerala, different varieties of sarees, and other unique items. The fashion show went beyond Kerala, presenting a wide variety of ethnic styles from across India.
Nisha Manath and her team presented Indian art forms from almost 14 states, each performance reflecting the cultural richness of the country. The Indian Art Form segment opened with the graceful ‘Bharatanatyam’ from Tamil Nadu, followed by beautiful performances of ‘Mohiniyattam’, ‘Kuchipudi’, ‘Odissi’, ‘Kathak’ and ‘Kolata’ to name a few.
The event also featured the folk dances ‘Garba’ from Gujarat, ‘Bathukamma’ from Telangana, ‘Bhangra’ from Punjab and ‘Sattriya’ performance from Assam.This diverse portrayal of various states’ performances was able to paint a vivid picture of India’s cultural diversity on the stage. The event concluded with the Indian national song “Vande Mataram,” where all participants gathered on stage in their vibrant costumes, with one participant proudly holding the Indian flag. This powerful moment created a deep sense of pride and emotional connection among all present.
NSW MPs Julia Finn and Charishma Kaliyanda were among the dignitaries who attended the event and did so wearing their beautiful six yards.
The event was a true celebration of cultural diversity, with people from multicultural backgrounds coming together to enjoy the festivities.
Onam celebrations also took place in Melbourne. The Kerala Hindu Society Melbourne Inc. celebrated Onam with the women’s team performing a breathtaking ‘Kinnamkali’. Shyama Sasidharan, played a crucial role in making it special.
The event was attended by Consul General of India in Melbourne, Sushil Kumar, Federal Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, and Victorian MP Brad Battin
Onam festivities took place in Perth as well organised by various associations. Consul General of India in Perth, Amarjeet Singh Takhi, attended the celebrations organised by Perth United Malayalee Association Inc – (PUMA). The Malayalee Association of Perth (MAP) and Malayalee Association of Western Australia (MAWA) also hosted Onam celebrations with lively cultural events.
(Images: Indian Society of WA, Indian Consulate in Perth, Malayalee Association of Perth/ Facebook)
