PETALING JAYA: Vibrant floral arrangements and a hearty banana leaf feast bursting with condiments representing the full spectrum of life’s flavours made Onam a grand celebration for many Malaysian Malayalees.
Yesterday was Thiruvonam, marking the culmination of the 10-day Onam harvest festival which started on Aug 26.
Homes were adorned with pookalam, which is an intricate floral rangoli-style design laid out on the floor, with an oil lamp placed in the centre.
A cultural tradition: Sri Shaila (front row, centre) posing with friends and family next to a pookalam. — Photo courtesy of Sri Shaila
A traditional Onam sadya, which is an elaborate banana leaf meal filled with a variety of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, savoury, and spicy dishes as well as condiments, symbolising the many flavours of life, is also served during the festival.
For Puchong resident Pramila Rajagopal, Thiruvonam is a grand affair every year.
“We always cook our food, and the only one who does it is my mother,” said the media professional.
Pramila usually creates the pookalam with her daughter as part of their tradition, but this year she did it with her cousins as her daughter was working.
“It took us about two and a half hours to complete the pookalam on the floor,” she shared. “But that’s the joyful part of the celebration.”
This year, Pramila hosted 45 guests and served a traditional sadya with 20 different side dishes.
Dorothy Antony said that her eight siblings would take turns hosting Onam at their respective homes.
“We had our Onam celebration last Sunday (Aug 31) with about 20 immediate family members,” said the housewife from Petaling Jaya.
“The best part is the delicious home-cooked food. Whoever hosts prepares the main dishes, and the rest of us will bring a couple of items each to complete the feast,” she added.
Dorothy also shared that during the festival, the family dresses in traditional Kerala sarees known as kasavu or white and beige attire.
Her version of the pookalam floats in water, adding a unique touch to the decor.
All Malaysia Malayalee Association (Amma) deputy president Datin Sri Shaila V explained that Onam is a cultural festival and not a religious one, unlike Vishu, which is mostly celebrated by Hindus.
Onam is also a time when Malayalees host friends of different ethnic backgrounds, she said.
“The Malaysian Malayalee community here celebrates Onam with great enthusiasm by making pookalam and sadya, enjoying music and offering prayers of gratitude,” she added.
According to Sri Shaila, gatherings would be held throughout the 10-day period.
“Cooking is a must if we were to celebrate Onam authentically, but it’s not so easy now as our parents and grandparents have gotten older.
“So to save the hassle, people will eat out or cater food,” she added.
Sri Shaila said those who are unable to celebrate the festival with their families could join the community celebration organised by the various bodies under Amma.
She said a sadya with over 20 vegetarian dishes and Onam songs from Kerala were important features of the festival.
“Having pookalam is also important as it serves as a beautiful welcome gesture to guests and the colourful arrangements symbolise prosperity,” she said, adding that it was also used to welcome the legendary King Mahabali into homes.
Celebrated by the Malayalee community, the festival is held in conjunction with the rice harvest festival in Kerala, India.
It is also held to mark the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali, whose reign was said to have been one of prosperity and happiness.
