I love how Onam is about celebrating and feasting with your loved ones: Sruthi Hariharan

Living in a nuclear Malayali family in Bengaluru, actor Sruthi Hariharan does everything she can to keep their traditions alive, even if it means celebrating with just her husband, Raam Kumar, and daughter Janki. “I grew up in Bengaluru. For us, Onam has been the yearly event that we used to attend at the East Cultural Association. My aunt was a member at the club and one of my fondest memories was tucking into the sadhya there. Honestly, the taste still lingers on my tongue. I used to look forward to these annual celebrations as a child,” the actress shares in an interview with Bangalore Times.

‘I love the payasam, aviyal and sharkara upperi, which are part of the Onam sadhya’“Onam is never complete without a sadhya. I truly love the idea and concept behind it. My favourite part of the sadhya is payasam. I am also a big fan of sharkara upperi (jaggery-coated banana chips) and aviyal. I am huge on sustainability, and that’s probably why I am an aviyal lover. Apparently, aviyal was invented when a dish was made with leftover vegetables. Its zero-waste angle appeals to me,” Sruthi explains.
‘For me, Onam celebrations have only increased after I got married to Raam’
Sruthi, who is married into a proper Malayali household, adds, “Now, the celebrations have also increased. Come what may, I put a pookalam (flower rangoli) at home, irrespective of where Raam’s mother is. On the tenth day, we cook a sadhya and eat together. We also make it a point to visit a temple. Onam has gained more meaning post my marriage.”
‘Raam and I make a conscious effort to pass down our cultural values to our daughter’Her daughter, Janki, loves to be a part of the celebrations, albeit on a small scale, informs the actress. “Janki loves helping me with the pookalam before going to school. She has also learned bits and pieces of Kaikottikali (Kerala folk dance), too. But one of the downsides of being a nuclear family in an urban city is that we lose out on our traditions. Hence, Raam and I try our best to keep our daughter in touch with our traditions and culture,” says Sruthi.

Also, since Janki stays away from Kerala, Sruthi believes it’s very important that her daughter stays true to their roots. “I think it’s important that she watches and partakes in our traditions, but going ahead, it will be her choice if she wants to adapt and carry them forward. But, our goal is to simply give her a glimpse of what her amma and appa have grown up with,” Sruthi shares.
‘The true essense of Onam lies in celebrating with loved ones around you’Ask Sruthi what she loves about cooking a sadhya at home, and she says, “It’s simple. It’s all about making food for your loved ones and indulging in an intimate and special meal, on a special day, with our loved ones. That is the true essence of Onam.”

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