The Nair Service Society (NSS) on Sunday celebrated Onam, the National Festival of Kerala with pomp and gaiety at Mahendra Reddy Gardens here with the traditional Onam Feast and unique cultural programmes.
NSS, the leading socio-cultural association of Keralites in the Twin Cities celebrates Onam a week in advance to enable its members to join their family get-together and celebrations here and in Kerala.
The Onasadya (the traditional Onam feast) with about 16 delicacies including two payasams were served on plantain leaves to over 1,200 people. The celebrations started with the family bonhomie and the Onapookkalam, the tastily decorated unique Onam flower decoration welcomed the members. The programme started with a brief meeting.
Renowned Poet of Malayalam, Prof. V.Madhusudanan Nair who was the chief guest, explained the importance of Onam in the life of Keralites. He also rendered few of his famous poems. NSS President C.G.Chandra Mohan, who presided, explained about the activities of the Society. He also recalled Onam of yesteryears with vivid memories from the past. He said today Onam is celebrated with more éclat outside Kerala than inside Kerala since for Marunadan Malayalees Onam is not only a unique festival but brings them all together. G. Suresh Kumar, General Secretary, briefed about the ambitious plans of the society and its present working. Scholarship amounts were distributed to meritorious students who excelled in Class X and XII. Elders (Karanavanmar) in the Society were honoured .
The cultural programme started with the traditional Thiruvahirakali by Malayalee women clad in kasavu sarees.
The Musical Programme was presented by Music Moments, famous orchestra from Kannur, Kerala. Upcoming playback singers including those from Kerala TV Channels and Reality shows sang favourite numbers in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi to the repeated applause of the audience. (INN)