My favourite part about Onam is getting to spend time with my loved ones: Priya Prakash Varrier

Onam represents joy and celebrations. We know when it’s Onam time because that spirit is all around us,” says Priya Prakash Varrier. In a chat with us, the actress delves into her Onam celebrations, her love for onasadhya , and why spending time with her loved ones is her favourite part of the festival.‘All the Onams I spent with my grandfather were really special’Since childhood, I’ve been spending every Onam with my mom’s family. This year, we might not have a grand Onam celebration because it’s only been a while since my maternal grandfather passed away. I can’t recall a favourite Onam memory, but all the Onams I spent with my grandfather were really special. So, from this year onwards, it’s going to be a little different.‘YOU GET TO DO A LOT OF COOL STUFF WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE DURING ONAM’Onam is not really relaxing, as you will have a lot to do when you’re celebrating Onam. Rather than a break, it’s about you finding time and making the effort for your loved ones. It’s about you making sure that you don’t miss out on the small things in life and keep the tradition alive. My favourite part about Onam is that you get to spend time with your loved ones, be it family or friends. You get to do a lot of cool stuff with the people you love.‘MY COUSINS AND I SIT AND WATCH OUR GRANDMA MAKE BEAUTIFUL POOKKALAMS ’My grandmother always used to go and pluck the flowers from the garden by herself to make the pookkalam . My cousins and I sit and watch our grandma make beautiful pookkalams on all 10 days of Onam. It’s mandatory that we as a family get together for all auspicious occasions irrespective of which part of the world we are in. Every year, we follow the same traditions and nothing’s really changed. I’ve been able to spend every Onam with my family up until now. I will somehow be free at least on Thiruvonam day. I go home, visit my family and come back.‘WE TAKE PART IN VADAMVALI , SUNDARIKKU POTTU THODAL AND URIYADI ’For the past two years, I have hosted an Onam party for my friends. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a party. It’s a celebration or a gathering with all my friends. We arrange sadhya , make pookkalam and have a lot of paayasam . We get to dress up in our traditional wear, look nice and click pictures. We also engage in interesting games like vadamvali (tug of war), sundarikku pottu thodal and uriyadi . During Onam celebrations in school, college or even with friends now, it’s mandatory that you take part in these activities. I still have a great time taking part in them. friends, then there’ll be games and activities. So, I try to mix it up a bit and maybe wear something of a fusion that’s a little more comfortable.‘POST SADHYA , I GOBBLE UP THE SEMIYA PAYASAM ’I’m a vegetarian and onasadhya is something that vegetarians really love. At home, my grandmother, aunt and mom cook onasadhya together and that’s the best part. My favourite dish in the onasadhya actually comes after the sadhya . I love semiya payasam and my mom makes amazing semiya payasam . So, I just gobble it up postsadhya.Priya’s go-to Onam attire…My go-to attire during Onam is the Kerala sari. I also like to experiment a bit with my Onam outfit. If it’s a celebration with friedns, then there'll be games and activities. So, I try to mix it up a bit and maybe wear something of a fusion that's a little more comfortable.