PUTRAJAYA: From gathering with hundreds of fellow Malayalees at community celebrations to preparing a traditional sadya for family and friends at home, Malaysians observed Onam in their own ways while keeping the festival’s traditions alive.
An Onam sadya is a banana leaf spread filled with various sweet, sour, salty, bitter, savoury and spicy dishes symbolising the many flavours of life.
Shanta Nair, a homemaker in Putrajaya, said she has been celebrating Onam with her Malayalee community for several years.
“I pray at home, buy lots of flowers, dress up and then come here to celebrate with the community.
“It has been two or three years since I last cooked sadya. I usually cook for about 20 people, comprising family and friends,” she said when met at an Onam celebration here yesterday.
For Malayalees, yesterday marked Thiruvonam, which was the culmination of the 10-day Onam harvest festival that started on Aug 16.
Celebrated in tandem with Kerala’s rice harvest, Onam marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali, whose reign was said to be an era of prosperity and happiness.
Datin Sushila Nair, 61, usually prepares sadya at home but skipped it this year because her samajam (Malayali community) organised a joint feast.
“We will light oil lamps and have prayers at home before coming here,” she said.
All Malaysia Malayalee Association (Amma) president Datin Seri Shaila V said Onam was a cultural celebration that transcended religion and brought people together through their shared heritage.
“Onam reminds us of the power of unity, where our cultural roots tie us back together,” she said in her speech at the Putrajaya Onam celebration.
She spoke of the importance of engaging the younger generation to ensure the tradition continues to be passed down.
She said the National Onam Celebration, Onam Vannallo 4.0, will be held on Sept 12 at Jasmine Banquet Hall in Section 19, Petaling Jaya.
“The celebration will be particularly significant as one of the major events under the association’s new leadership, providing the Malayalee community with a national platform to celebrate its heritage while welcoming Malaysians from all backgrounds,” she added.
While many Malayalees celebrate Onam with their respective samajams, others observe the festival more intimately at home with their families.
Parimala Rajagopal, 53, from Puchong, said her family prepared a sadya comprising about 20 vegetarian dishes for 30 guests.
She said the dishes cooked by her mother included sweet pineapple yoghurt and ginger-tamarind pickle.
Maithilli Devi Nermala Devi, 24, from Butterworth, said her family prepared between 11 and 16 vegetarian dishes which was served to 10 family members and friends.
“We began the day by preparing the pookalam (colourful floral design), lighting oil lamps, praying and then enjoying our Onam sadya cooked early in the morning,” she added.
