A belated Onam meet

Decades ago, during our sojourn in Tanzania our family used to take part in the Onam and Christmas celebrations for Malayalee expats. While the Onam celebration had Malayalees of all creed taking part, the Christmas party was held at the Anglican church. Once my late uncle, who was a tea factory director in Dar es Salaam, was the Santa Claus. We children really enjoyed the various events there.

Coming to Dubai, we have cocooned ourselves at home without much interactions with the expat community. Though people leave you alone and try not to be racist, friendliness is rare even at the church we attend. Our Chennai church was like a big family, and Vinod especially loved the company. 

So when we got an Onam invite through a Whatsapp/FB group of Changanachery natives, it caused a flutter at home. I dug out the Onam kasavu sari I had bought two years back in Kerala. Since Onam days are tiring ones for me after all the cooking, I have always worn only a kurta on the day. The officer attendant in Vs company who moonlights as a tailor stitched a blouse for me in a matter of days. Ash and V had Fabindia kurtas but Mira needed a new traditional attire to receive an award for scoring over 80% in the Boards. The association was planning to felicitate 10th & 12th toppers, and three wards were found eligible. We procured a lovely skirt and blouse from Kalyan Silks, and got the blouse sleeves attached (nowadays most readymades for women come sleeveless and the sleeves are given separately).

The function was at Ajman Beach Hotel from 9-7 pm on Friday October 22. For a change, V hustled us to leave the house by 10 am. But not many had arrived when we reached, and the pookalam was still being laid. The morning session started by 11 or so, and we were treated to melodious singing by members, cinematic and other dances, mayilattam or peacock dance (first time I was seeing one). In the afternoon, the chief guests arrived including media personalities like RadioAsia RJ Ramesh Payyanoor, Gold FM newsreader Roy Raphael and NTV director Mathukutty. Mira received her prize from Ramesh. 

The lunch was sumptuous and tasty with a dozen Onam special side dishes. Evening tea came with samosas, while water and aerated drinks flowed during the first half of the day from sponsors.

The best takeaway was that the kids spent a day without browsing their phones. Ash said he was bored but he suffered amicably.

Below is a note I wrote on V's prodding in the group.

 
"Onanilavu", a belated celebration of Eid and Onam 2021 by the UAE chapter of Friends of Changanacherry, was a much-welcome function for UAE Malayali residents. Coming at a time when COVID is beating a retreat owing to successful vaccination and preventive measures of UAE authorities, the full-day programme was just the occasion we needed for a return to normal while keeping masks and other hygiene practices in place.
The pookkalam, Onasadya and Mahabali's ezhunallathu completed the Onam vibe for those assembled. The music, mimicry and dance items in the pre-lunch session were all superb. The awards function and the speeches by the main guests were thought-provoking and brought out their love and respect for Changanachery, a vibrant town where Christians, Hindus and Muslims live in harmony. The need for religious tolerance and the challenge caused by recurring floods were highlighted by the speakers.
The ganamela in the late evening rekindled nostalgia for old songs and love for the new hit numbers.
All in all, it was a wonderful day when we could relax in the company of Changanacherry natives at Ajman Beach Hotel. Hats off to the organisers who took pains to arrange such a perfect function. I hope this is the beginning of more such get-togethers in the post-COVID era.