When Mahabali visits...Its Onam then !!!
May the spirit of Onam fill your heart with happiness, joy, and prosperity !!
Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women celebrated the harvest festival of Onam
with grand fervour on 21st August, 2023. Onam is a grand festival for Keralites across the world
and is the official festival of Kerala. It is significant in the city of Coimbatore due to its close
proximity to Kerala and a high population of Malayalis in the city.
The high festive spirit of the students of the college could be witnessed as students attended in the
traditional Kasavu Saree. This saree is a symbol of Kerala’s tradition and culture and is
characterised by the gold (zari) thread used in the border of the saree which is otherwise has a plain
white or off white body. One can feel like a quintessential Malayali as they drape the saree.
The college was decorated with Pookkalams or “Flower Rangolis” at different places, all created by
the enthusiastic students.
The festivities kickstarted with the Thiruvathirakali by the office bearers of various departments of
the college. The girls danced around a lamp with simple yet elegant moves to the traditional songs
of Kerala that spread the message of Onam- “celebration and unity”.
This was followed by a friendly tug-of-war competitions between various departments of the
college to add in a dose of fun. Ten students from each department participated while the others
cheered for them from the sidelines.
Finally, the most awaited moment that the students had waited for had arrived with the traditional
Chendamelam ensemble. The artists were hired from Palakkad, Kerala and the accompanying
instruments were the Chenda and the Shingari. The Chendamelam has been an integral part of all
Kerala festivals for over 300 years.
In order to ensure that all students were given time to groove to the beats of the Chenda and the
Shingari, an hour was allotted to each of the two groups of departments. Students danced to the high
octane beats of Chendamelam and truly embodied the celebratory spirit of Onam. Such was the
fervour, that the artists themselves joined in and taught some moves to the students.
All in all, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women celebrated the festival of Onam
2023 with ardour and gusto whilst maintaining the highest form of discipline. In the end each
student went home with great memories of the wonderful celebration.
VIBHA S BHARADWAJ
III BIOCHEM
Well written Vibha.... Ona Aashamshagal...
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