Packaging a people’s Onam

The official Onam celebrations in the district “Poopoli-2009,” organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council will be conducted from September 1 to 4 with special emphasis on enhancing public participation through competitions that families can take part in.

A “Maveli Road Show” which will feature Maveli visiting houses in the city and judging pookalams on courtyards and a competition to identify the most beautifully illuminated public and private buildings will be conducted to encourage people to come out of their homes on Onam days.

The programmes will be staged at six locations in the city and seven locations outside city limits. The brochure detailing the itinerary of the Onam celebrations was released by lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri at the Calicut Press Club. The meeting was presided by District Collector P.B. Salim. A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, and chairpersons of the Standing Committees formed to oversee the conduct of the celebrations also participated.

The Collector said that a conscious effort was being made this year to bring talented folk artistes languishing on the margins to centre stage.

Artists from the rural parts of the State, hitherto not familiar to urban audience, will perform at the event. This also includes a band of street singers. A sum of Rs. 25 lakh has been allocated by the State government for the four-day event.

Mananchira Square will be the main stage for the celebrations and will host martial art events. Folk arts will be conducted at the Model Higher Secondary School. The Town Hall will host a literary festival and plays while the venue for classical dance and music events will be Jaya Auditorium. A ‘pookalam’ competition will be held at the Indoor Stadium.

A novelty in this year’s festivities is the introduction of water sports like canoeing and kayaking at Cheruppa. Sarovaram Bio Park is a new venue for the Onam festivities and will host cultural programmes by local talents.

The district’s prominent tourist attractions like Thusharagiri, Kappad, Iringal, Peruvannamuzhi, Kadalundi and Payamkuttimala will also host programmes to induce more visitors to these places.