Capital prepares for week-long Onam Tourism Week; Nishagandhi to host inauguration
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city will be decked in Onam lights and cultural programmes from Monday as the Onam Tourism Week organised by the Tourism Department begins with an inaugural function at Nishagandhi. Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan will inaugurate the week-long event at 5.30 pm, with Minister P. C. Vishnunath presiding and film star Kunchacko Boban as the special guest, the government bulletin said.
The inaugural cultural segment will open with a dance performance by Malayalam film actor-dancer Shobhana. Several senior political and civic figures are listed to participate, including Ministers K. Muraleedharan and C. P. John, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, Mayor V. V. Rajesh and Member of Parliament Dr Shashi Tharoor, according to the release.
- Duration: Monday to August 30.
- Venues: 35 locations across the capital, including Nishagandhi, Kanakakunnu (Sopanam and Nattaranga), Central Stadium, Poojappura and Kovalam.
- Programmes: Over 340 cultural events involving about 3,000 artists (onstage and behind the scenes).
- Timing: Folk art performances scheduled daily from 6 pm to 9 pm between August 25 and 30.
The main programme roster at Nishagandhi will feature traditional and ritual art forms such as Mudiyettu, Tholpavakoothu, Padayani, Arjuna Nritham, Poothanum Thirayum and a folklore fusion labelled Samskara Sahithi. Kanakakunnu's Sopanam and Nattaranga venues will also present an assortment of classical and folk items.
"More than 340 cultural programmes are being organised at 35 venues in the capital alone," the government release said.
Organisers have emphasised both breadth and diversity: established classical performers, folk ensembles and contemporary musicians are on the bill. The release lists several leading singers and musicians due to appear during the week — Unni Menon, Harishankar, Anoop Shankar, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Harish Sivaramakrishnan, Sooraj Santhosh, Nithya Mammen, Madhu Balakrishnan, Aravind Venugopal, Manjari, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Abhaya Hiranmayi and Sachin Warrier. Veteran artistes involved in other capacities include Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma and Kavalam Sreekumar, the statement said.
Media partnership and district-level tie-ups
Fourteen leading media houses, including Kerala Kaumudi, are collaborating with the government for the festival week to broaden participation and programming, the release added. Media partners will help stage events at prominent city venues — Nishagandhi, Central Stadium and Poojappura — and will bring notable performers together for curated shows.
District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPCs) will run parallel Onam celebrations across districts; the release noted that several folk forms will also be presented at other city locations and in DTPC-organised events.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening | Nishagandhi, 5.30 pm (Monday) |
| Key Performance | Shobhana (dance) |
| Number of Programmes | Over 340 |
| Artists | About 3,000 (onstage and backstage) |
| Primary Timings | 6 pm–9 pm (folk art, Aug 25–30) |
City residents and visitors are advised to check local venue schedules and traffic advisories as events at multiple public spaces may affect mobility during evening hours. The Tourism Department has not issued a separate advisory on road closures; attendees should anticipate increased pedestrian movement around Kanakakunnu, Nishagandhi and Central Stadium during headline performances.
The week-long calendar underlines the state government's effort to blend classical, ritual and contemporary art on the capital's public stages for Onam, providing both traditional rituals and popular entertainment across neighbourhoods.
