The second phase of Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam’s (BKS) Onam celebrations, Sraavanam 2026, is set to begin tonight.
The September lineup of the celebrations will feature music, dance, cultural programmes and competitions, while showcasing Kerala’s traditional culinary heritage.
Ganga
Violin sensation Ganga Sasidharan will kick off the second phase with a concert tonight at 7.30pm.
“With a rich blend of music, dance, literature, traditional arts, sports and Kerala’s culinary heritage, Sraavanam 2026 is emerging as a major cultural celebration for the Malayali community, providing an opportunity for families to come together and relive the spirit, traditions and memories of Onam,” BKS said, in a statement.
Mr Vishnunadh
Tomorrow at 6pm, more than 100 women will participate in a grand ‘Mega Thiruvathira’ celebration, with Kerala culture and tourism minister P C Vishnunadh as the chief guest.
On Saturday, there will be dessert and fashion competitions at 7.30pm.
The Payasam competition will see home chefs making and sharing the traditional South Indian sweet pudding dish, while the Onappudava contest will showcase traditional garment designs for the harvest festival of Onam.
On Sunday at 7.30pm, there will be an Onappattu competition, where teams will perform Malayalam songs dedicated to the Onam festival.
Next Wednesday, at 7.30pm, there will be a special presentation of traditional folk songs by Aaravam Maram band, offering music lovers a distinctive Kerala folk experience.
Ms Vijayalakshmi
A musical attraction, ‘Ganasandhya’ featuring renowned playback singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, recipient of this year’s National Film Award, will be held on September 17 at 7.30pm.
Neelgreev
On September 18 from 7pm, classical music prodigy Master Neelgreev will present ‘Veena Riviera’, followed by a grand Charadupinni Kali cultural performance – a highly skilled traditional folk art form native to Kerala.
A quiz competition based on Malayalam cinema will be held on September 22.
On September 24 at 7.30pm, there will be a musical night featuring renowned singers Merin Gregory, Disha Prakash and Gokul.
Ms Chithra
One of the most anticipated programmes of Sraavanam 2026, ‘Chithranjali’, will be held on September 25 at 6.30pm, featuring Malayalam playback singer K S Chithra.
Singers Nishad, Arjun and Anamika will join Ms Chithra on stage.
There will also be a Pookkalam competition on September 25 at 10am, where community members will compete to create the most elaborate traditional Onam flower carpet arrangements.
On September 26, a Thiruvathira traditional dance competition will be held, followed by a cinematic dance competition on September 27.
Sraavanam 2026 will conclude with a celebration of the culinary traditions of Kerala, encapsulated in a grand Onam Sadya (feast) on October 2, prepared under the leadership of renowned culinary expert Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri.
The feast will feature an extensive selection of authentic Kerala Onam delicacies.
The organising committee for the festivities is being led by BKS president PV Radhakrishna Pillai, secretary Varghese Karakkal, and Sraavanam general convener Harikrishnan Nair.
Admission to all Sraavanam 2026 events is free.
The second phase of the Onam celebrations comes after an impressive first leg filled with cultural and sporting events, which began on July 31.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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