Thousands attend Onam celebration at Al Nasr Leisureland

Dubai - A special event was organised by Celebrations Dubai and was sponsored by Lulu group to unite the keralite community in Dubai.

Alluring floral carpets, men and women in traditional attires and children giggling and playing all over the place set a festive mood at Al Nasr Leisureland in Dubai on Friday.
A special event was organised by Celebrations Dubai and was sponsored by Lulu group to unite the Keralite community in Dubai.
"Onam was on Wednesday (September 14) and most of the people couldn't enjoy it fully as they were working that day. Like every year, we decided to invite all our community people on Friday so that they can enjoy for the whole day and can meet their friends and family members," Jayaraj Pillai, convener of the event, said.
"This is the biggest ever Onam celebrations held in the entire GCC. We have been doing this for the last 35 years in Dubai and along with Lulu we have completed 12 years in this occurrence."
More than 3,500 people gathered to take part in various cultural activities and savour 26 special dishes served on the banana leaf, typical of Kerala tradition.
The day started at 9am with the pookalam competition (floral carpet) followed by Onam sadya and procession, music, dances and comedy skits in the evening.
The main attraction of the event remained beautiful floral designs made by the differently abled children and adults.
Jijo Jalal came with his family and was seen in high spirits at the gala event. He said: "I am here with my 6 years old son Eshaan and enjoying every bit of it. As I was working on Onam day, I missed celebrations with my family. But today I am having the most wonderful Onam celebration with them."
Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities.
Around 1 million Malayalees live in UAE and are celebrate Onam on a very huge scale.
Kanchana George, an attendee at the event said: "I am quite regular with these cultural feasts as I am living here since past 19 years. Every year the carnival gets more colourful, joyous and better. I am fond of Thiruvathira dance and traditional music, this fete gives me a chance to bask in the glory of Kerala and its beautiful culture."
ankita@khaleejtimes.com