Kerala traditions brought to Indore through dance, music and cuisine
Indore witnessed a vibrant Onam celebration on Sunday as the Indore Keraleeya Samajam staged cultural performances, a traditional feast and a floral rangoli competition that drew close to 2,000 members and guests. The event, held at the Manmohan Mehta Auditorium, aimed to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Kerala while engaging the wider community in the city.
The programme opened with the ceremonial entry of Mahabali, a key figure in Onam lore, followed by classical and folk performances including Thiruvathira and Kathak. Traditional songs accompanied the dance recitals, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the festival as celebrated in Kerala.
“Onam is a festival that brings people together. Through this celebration, we wanted to preserve our traditions while also giving people from other communities in Indore an opportunity to experience the culture of Kerala,”
said Joseph Thomas, president of the Indore Keraleeya Samajam, who presided over the event. The celebration underlined the Samajam's stated aim of maintaining cultural links for Malayali residents who have made Indore their home.
Food, flowers and felicitations: highlights of the day
- Onasadya: Guests were served a traditional Kerala feast on banana leaves featuring 21 dishes, with ada pradhaman noted among the popular desserts.
- Athapookkalam: A floral rangoli competition brought colour to the auditorium as participants created intricate patterns using flowers, reflecting one of Onam’s most visible traditions.
- Community recognition: The programme included felicitations for residents who have supported and represented the Malayali community in Indore.
The event organisers emphasised the dual purpose of the celebration: to offer Malayali families a chance to reconnect with Onam customs and to invite residents from other communities to experience Kerala’s cultural practices. Attendance by nearly 2,000 people suggests sustained interest in communal and cultural events in the city.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Manmohan Mehta Auditorium, Indore |
| Estimated attendance | Nearly 2,000 |
| Onasadya items | 21 dishes (including ada pradhaman) |
Organisers said the cultural pieces were selected to represent a cross-section of Kerala’s artistic traditions. Thiruvathira, a women’s dance traditionally performed during Onam, and Kathak, a classical North Indian dance form, were among the acts, indicating an inclusive approach to programming that blends regional and pan-Indian classical arts.
For Indore, a rapidly growing city with a diverse migrant population, such festivities provide a platform for minority communities to sustain linguistic and cultural practices. The Samajam’s annual event also serves as a social anchor, helping newer residents and second-generation families retain cultural knowledge through communal participation.
Participants said the banquet and cultural displays helped younger members of the Malayali community reconnect with traditions they might otherwise encounter mainly through family observance. The presence of attendees from outside the Malayali community was viewed as an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange and to broaden understanding of the festival’s significance.
City cultural calendars and community organisations across Indore often host similar festivals, reflecting the city's plural social fabric. Events like this contribute to social cohesion by inviting participation, offering public visibility to cultural practices and recognising individuals who work to keep community traditions alive.
Those interested in future cultural programmes by the Indore Keraleeya Samajam are advised to look out for announcements by the Samajam regarding forthcoming events and membership activities.
