Preparations are in full swing to celebrate two major Indian festivals in Bahrain.
The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), the largest expatriate association in the kingdom, has lined up a number of traditional and colourful activities to mark Onam and Navaratri.
Onam marks the harvest festival of India’s Kerala state, while the nine-day-long Navaratri celebration is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga.
Highlights of the celebrations include performances by veteran Indian artists including singers Hariharan and K S Chithra, and a grand feast, Onasadya, by celebrity chef Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri.
The almost two-month-long festivities, titled Sravanam 2022, are being held at the BKS premises in Segaiya.
The annual Onam celebration, returning after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, is expected to witness an overwhelming response from thousands of residents, said BKS president P V Radhakrishna Pillai.
“We are all excited and I am sure the community will enjoy all the programmes. This is going to be a major event for the BKS running for almost two months, featuring performances, literary competitions and traditional sports,” he said.
He was speaking to the GDN on the sidelines of a Press conference held yesterday at the BKS to reveal the details of the programmes.
“There are several programmes that are very traditional and nostalgic like the unique sport of kabaddi, a tug-of-war as well as writing and poster-making competitions on Onam theme and memories.
“Our aim is to help people enjoy the festival season and relive both Onam and Navaratri, the festivals that are celebrated colourfully in India.”
Businessman and LuLu Group chairman Yusuff Ali M A will be chief guest at the official inauguration of the festival on September 9. The event will be followed by a musical concert performed by Ms Chithra and her team.
Meanwhile, on the finale set for September 30, Kerala Co-operation Department Minister V N Vasavan will be chief guest and the day will feature a musical night led by Mr Hariharan.
Among the artists who will be performing in the BKS Diamond Jubilee Hall are Indian veena virtuoso Rajesh Vaidya, National Award-winning singer Nanchiyamma, magician Professor Samrat, art enthusiast Soorya Krishnamurthi, singer Najem Arshad and artists Nithya Mammen, Gopi Kottamuri, Rupa and Nishanth.
The programmes kicked off last week with “Pilleronam” or Onam for children and the festivities will run until October 7.
The kabaddi contest was held during the weekend.
A contest of “Athapoo” or the traditional floral carpet and tug-of-war will be held next weekend, while people can register for poster-making and story writing competitions. An Onam attire competition, “Onapudava”, will be held on September 12, a contest of the traditional dance “thiruvathirakali” will be held on September 14, while a mega procession featuring a competition of floats will be held on September 16.
People can also take part in an Onam singing contest on September 18.
Indian magician and chef Raj Kalesh will lead the “ruchimela”, or festival of tastes, featuring dishes from across India on September 22, while celebrity chef Mr Namboothiri, who has visited Bahrain several times as part of Onam celebrations, will present his culinary skills at the grand Onam feast on September 23.
A cinematic dance competition will be held on September 25 and the “payasa-malsaram” (payasam is an Indian sweet dish) is scheduled for September 30.
On October 5, renowned oncologist, Dr V P Gangadharan, will be present for the ‘Vidyarambam’ ceremony and auspicious day for children to be introduced to the world of learning.
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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