Mahabali stops by in Sydney on his annual visit to the earth An old Kerala tradition continues on in Sydney

Sydney’s Malayalee community celebrated their major festival Onam recently.

The Aug 25th celebrations, held at Granville Town Hall, was filled with cultural programs fitting the harvest theme of the festival.

The arrival of Onam transforms people and nature all over Kerala. The monsoon rains not only make the land lush green with vegetation, but also uplift people’s spirits and put them in a playful mood.

It is a creative time for the family back in Kerala, especially for children. As women collect from abundant flowering bushes to create their colourful flower carpets (pookalams), kids run around chasing the season’s dragonflies (known as ‘Onam dragon flies’ as they are seen only during this time).

True to tradition, the Sydney celebration started with the pookalam, the flower decoration on the floor which is one of the most significant aspects of Onam.

Earlier, the traditional lamp was lit jointly by Mr Arun Kumar Goel, Consul General of India, and his wife.

Sydney Malayalee Association

President Mr K P Jose in his address welcomed all, including distinguished guests including Ms Julie Owens MP (representing Ms Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport and Minister for Multicultural

Affairs) and Mr Tony Issa OAM MP (representing Mr Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Minister for Communities).

Sunny Stephen who is a talented song writer and counselor, gave a fitting Onam message to show love and unity.

Then it was time for the annual visit of King Mahabali from the underworld ‘ subjects and blessed all present. The legend is that under his rule Malayalees were very happy, prosperous and united. However, he was sent to by Vishnu in the form of Vamana as the jealous gods complained to Vishnu. However, he was granted an annual visit to his subjects. Mahabali was accompanied by President Mr K P Jose and other officials from Sydney Malayalee Association and was welcomed on stage by women in Kerala’s traditional dress.

Ms Julie Owens, dressed in a bright blue salwar kameez thrilled to receive King Mahabali’s blessings

The cultural presentation that followed involved songs and dances based on the Onam theme.

The program concluded with the saadhya, a vegetarian feast including the traditional dessert everyone about the prosperous time under King Mahabali.

Sunny Cherian