Meera Anil to Lakshmi Nakshathra: Malayalam TV celebs recollect their most cherished Onam memories

Onam is a festival of nostalgia for every Malayali. As the pandemic has affected the true fun of the festival season this year, Keralites are cherishing their fond Onam memories. From Neeyum Njanum actor Shiju to Pookkalam Varavayi's Arathy Sojan, Malayalam TV celebs share their most cherished Onam memories.

"In our hometown, there used to be many arts and sports clubs, which will conduct many competitions during the Onam season. Every year, I used to wait for the competitions to flaunt my talents. It was more like a ritual to get dolled up in Onakoodi and rush to the competition venue. I was the naughtiest in the gang and the club members would always be cautious about what I would do during the event. Winning that ever-rolling trophy was the most prestigious moments in life then," Udan Panam 3.0 host Meenakshi took a walk down the memory lane.

(Photo: Instagram)

"Onam was the time when we cousins have a blast. One year, when we got ready to put the Pookalam, there were hardly any flowers. All we could see was rock salt, grated coconut and some colours. Initially, we didn't understand what our parents were up to. But, later, they joined us in mixing colours and we put a very attractive Pookalam. It wasn't the conventional way of putting a Pookalam, but the fun and togetherness in making it, I still cherish it," Arathy Sojan shared.

(Photo: Instagram)

"Onam comes along with a tinge of nostalgia. Whenever we think of Onam, I’m reminded of childhood. The memories of preparing Athapookalam is still afresh in mind. Back then, it was the canvas to flaunt our creativity. We decide the design, collect flowers and make adjustments. All those Pookalams had flaws, but it was always a learning curve for most of us," Shiju recollected.

(Photo: Instagram)

Talking about her most special Onam moment, Meera recollected one of her 'tearful' memory.

"Back in school, the class-wise Athapookalam competition was the most prestigious one. Our only aim was to win the first prize and we would go to any extent for that. We got insecure after learning about the brilliant design of the other class. So, we planned to steal the main flower of their Pookalam. We managed to sneak into their classroom and steal their flowers. Further, we bagged the first prize and were celebrating our victory by throwing flowers from our Athapookalam. After a while, everyone started feeling uncomfortable. Many of us turned red, everyone had a burning sensation. That's when we realised that the opposite team had put chilli powder in our Athapookalam. We rushed to the washroom, but they had already closed the taps. For about 20 minutes, we were literally in tears.”

(Photo: Instagram)

"During an Onam season, the team of campus program 'School Time', planned to do a special show in our school. A night before the shoot, the person, who was supposed to host the show got food poisoning and she couldn't make it for the shoot. My school principal suggested my name to the crew and they readily said ok. Next day, I stood in front of my school, as a TV host and everyone was surprised. Thanks to food poisoning, I became a TV host overnight," Star Magic host Lakshmi Nakshathra is forever thankful to Onam season.

(Photo: Instagram)