Onam 2013 in UK to feature Malayalee singers Vidhu Prathap and Jyothsna
The Malayalee Association of the UK (MAUK) is hosting a five-hour cultural variety show at Walthamstow Assembly Hall on Saturday, 28 September 2013 as part of Onam 2013 celebrations.
The show, beginning at 3.30pm in the afternoon, will feature a “glittering line-up of dancers and musicians” from the Malayalee community in London and neighbouring counties, according to the organisation. In addition, the highlight of its Onam celebrations will be live performances from playback stars -- Vidhu Prathap and Jyothsna.
But it is not just entertainment that will be part of Onam celebrations at MAUK. The organisation will also present the MAUK Educational Awards for best results achieved for A-levels and GCSE announced in August in 2013.
The deadline for the students to apply for the awards was 09 September 2013 and the details of the winners will be published in the association’s annual periodical. The top academic performers will be honoured during the 2013 Onam celebrations event at the Walthamstow venue.
Registered in 1974, MAUK aims to represent and work for the Malayalee community in the UK.
According to the legend, Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. It is a 10-day celebration of elaborate feasts served on banana leaves, folk songs and dances, and “pookolam” (flower decorations on the floor).
Another Malayalee charity in the UK called KCWA (Kerala Cultural and Welfare Association) also planned “Onagosham” (Onam celebrations) on Sunday, 08 September 2013 at Fairfields hall in Croydon.
The Croydon-based charity hosted traditional Malayalam oriented drama, dance and music. The cultural event will kick off at 3.30pm on the day. In addition, KCWA will also host Onasadhya (traditional Onam feast) on October 05, 2013 from 12pm at Lanfranc School Hall in Croydon.
Featuring about 5000 members, KCWA too was established in 1974, as a voluntary community organisation aiming to bring together the Malayalee community members in Croydon.
UK celebrations of the Kerala festival are not restricted to London areas alone. The Luton Keralites Association (LUKA) is planning to celebrate Onam on Saturday 21 September 2013 and has called on the community members to plan out cultural programmes for the day. Among the cultural events of the day are Thiruvathira dance, Onam Song, Onam sadhya, Bollywood dance and Malayala ganamela.
Meanwhile, Liverpool Malayalee Cultural Association (LIMCA) hosted Onam celebratory event on Saturday, September 14 between 10am and 7pm at Broadgreen International School in Liverpool.
Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg opened LIMCA’s Onam event. “Delighted to open the Liverpool Malayalee Cultural Association Onam Ponnonam event at Broad Green International School,” he said on Twitter.
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