We sent out the invitation, everyone responded and how!

What a turnout we had at the Arizona Malayalees Onam celebration on September 10th. The Indo American Cultural Center was packed. Everywhere one looked there were families clad in the traditional Kerala attire, sharing laughter with friends, exchanging smiles – enjoying tradition. The hall was decorated beautifully with a pookalam and vilakkus(lamps).

It was indeed a proud moment for the Arizona Malayalees, when Srimati Asha Gopal, agreed to be our Chief Guest for the eventFrom the moment when the strains of the Star spangled Banner ended to the last notes of “jana gana mana” – talent flowed.

An invocation to Lord Ganesha started off the event with the lighting of the lamp by Srimati Asha Gopal and the committee members, led by our president, Bala Ravindran. The first item of the day was aptly about Kerala.

Age was no bar - as the youngest of them shook a leg with ease and style to the popular tunes of the day; and adults danced and sang their way into the audience’s heart.

The quality of the programs was remarked upon by everyone – the meticulously designed costumes, the hours of practice that had gone into each event and the obvious talent was amazing. Be it the melodious rendition of “enundodi” or the perennial Onam classic “uthrada poo nilave vaa”; the foot tapping beats of latest Mollywood and Bollywood hits; or the sheer beauty of the classical dances, the event excelled at so many levels. A live band of young boys got the crowd clapping.

And then the moment everyone had been waiting for – the arrival of Maveli. Led by traditionally attired ladies bearing lamp and serenaded by chenda melam (traditional drums from Kerala), Maveli blessed everyone and with a promise to come back again the next year, bid adieu to the crowds!

No celebration is complete without a feast – and this one surpassed all others. The Onasadya had more than 20 items. The credit is all due to the dedicated team who shopped, chopped, diced, stirred and served up this sumptuous feast.

The efforts of many made this Onam celebration happen. And the members made it a resounding success.

With more celebrations to come, and the next one to prepare for, Arizona Malayalees wish everyone a Happy Onam.

For details about upcoming events, please visit our website Arizona Malayalees or like us in our Facebook page.