Onam concludes with colourful pageantry

The festive aura of this year’s Onam celebrations came to a close with a colourful pageant in the capital city. Thousands thronged to witness the culmination of the week-long Onam celebrations. Governor P Sathasivam flagged off the colourful procession from Vellayambalam at 5.30 pm. People were seen arriving by 3 pm itself and occupied both sides of the road from Kowdiar to East Fort to catch a glimpse of the carnival, even rooftops of buildings around to get a panoramic view of the moving tableaus.The occasion turned to be most exciting for those from other districts. Mohammed Afsal from Kochi shared his experience thus, “I am visiting the capital city for the first time. I came here as a part of my research work. Though I have witnessed the Cochin carnival, this fair is very different from it as it has lots of floats and rare cultural art forms on display. I wanted to watch the event, which I had only seen in television channels, in real.”
The spectacle showcased more than 70 theme-based floats that represented various government and non-government institutions, highlighting their on-going initiatives. The pageant that displayed a blend of old and new art forms began with panchari melam followed by a cavalry of 100 men and young women in traditional attires adorned with colourful parasols and olakkudas.
The folk art forms from other states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Orissa along with Theyyam, Kathakali, Padayani, Poikaal Kali, Bommakali, Kummati Kali and Chavittu Nadakam added to the celebratory spirits, enthralling the spectators.
The eye catchers of the cultural extravaganza were ‘responsible tourism’ floats by tourism department, district panchayat’s Mahabali being bitten by stray dogs, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy’s ‘Vismayam Chalachitram’ and Government Medical College’s debut float, ‘Brain Death and Organ Donation’.