Onam Celebrations in Bengaluru: A Celebration of Unity and Tradition

As the Onam festival subsides in Bengaluru, apartments and neighborhoods across the city are still basking in the vibrant spirit of the harvest celebration. Residents have gone all out to recreate the festivities, blending tradition and modernity in their decorations, dance performances, and attire. The enthusiasm and creativity on display are a testament to the enduring appeal of Onam, a festival that embodies the values of equality, togetherness, and community bonding.

Key Takeaways:

• The Onam celebrations in Bengaluru's apartments and neighborhoods showcased a unique blend of traditional and modern elements, with residents reimagining the harvest festival in innovative ways.
• The popularity of Onam Sadya, a traditional meal served on a banana leaf with 28 items, continues to grow, with many residents still ordering the mega thali meal.
• The traditional Chenda melam is being replaced by the more dynamic Shinkari melam, with young people preferring the fast-paced rhythms created by instruments like base drum, cymbal, and medium tone drum.
• Onam attire has evolved to incorporate floral and geometric designs, intricate embroidery, and temple jewelry, with women pairing traditional saris with designer blouses.
• Theme-based floral carpets offering a 3D view are trending, with residents using colored powders and rock salt to create complex designs.
• The Icon North Apartments in Thannisandra hosted the first-ever Onam celebration in the apartment, organized by The Icon North Malayalee Samajam (TIMS), which included giant floral carpets, Thiruvathirakali, and a sumptuous Onam Sadya.

Statistics:

• 74 residents, including senior citizens, are participating in the Thiruvathirakali dance performance at Prestige Ferns Residency on Haralur Road.
• The Thiruonam celebration at Lakeview County and Royal Castle Apartment in Singasandra featured a giant floral carpet, with residents using finely cut flowers to create a 3D design.
• The Icon North Apartments in Thannisandra had a surprise guest, R Gandhi, the former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, who dressed up as Maveli (King Mahabali) and bestowed his blessings on the residents.
• The Onam Sadya at The Icon North Apartments featured a sumptuous meal with around 28 items.

Sources:

• "Onam vibes linger in apartments across the city, even a day after Thiruvonam, the most significant day of the festival." (Times of India, Date: Sep 20)
• "We celebrated Onam last year too, and we had eight retired Indian army officers including generals, brigadiers and colonels grooving to popular Malayalam songs." (Mitul Dey, resident of Vasanth Vihar)
• "As many as 74 residents, including senior citizens, are taking part in it." (Resident of Prestige Ferns Residency)
• "We got two tiger dancers from Thrissur in Kerala." (Dhanesh Narikkodan, resident of Aratt Milano)
• "The shirts feature Kathakali, Theyyam, Mohiniyattam and floral motifs. A lot of thought has gone into it." (Rajesh Ramakrishnan, resident of Bren Unity apartment)
• "Women now pair it with designer blouses and temple jewelry." (Mercy Margreat, nurse in a private hospital in Bengaluru)