An array of innovative programs, a sumptuous Onam sadhya, professional scintillating performance by Divya Unni and a lot of happy audience made New England Malayalee Association’s Onam celebration a phenomenal success. The Onam Celebration of 2005 was a great hit. The combined efforts of the members of The New England Malayalee Association did not go in vain. This event was not to be missed. The Chief Guest of the day Divya Unni enjoyed herself and called the experience “a memorable and fascinating one”. Divya Unni is a dancer and film artist recognized with love and affection not only in Kerala but in almost all of south India.  She is a beautiful dancer and has been dancing since the age of three. She now runs a dance school in Houston, Texas where she lives with her husband. During the course of the program she performed three dances, a Bharathanathyam which was the invocation dance and a Kuchipudi which glorified Lord Krishna and made the audience spellbound. The final one was a medley of cinematic dances which left everybody humming and dancing as they walked out of the auditorium as happy campers.

The Onam utsavam started with lighting of the lamp by Divya Unni who appreciated the beautiful Athapoo which represented the colors of Onam. This was followed by sadhya. It consisted of the many dishes served at an Onam feast including theeyal, aviayal, kuttukari and payasam. Once everyone had eaten lunch they proceeded towards the auditorium waiting for the program to start. The program commenced with a grand procession welcoming the great king Mahabali. Mahabali was followed by his people, all dressed in traditional Kerala clothing. Ladies in kasavu settumundu, men in kasavu dhoti and the kids carrying muthu kuda-which are colorfully decorated umbrellas. After the invocation dance by Divya Unni, there were a few traditional Kerala dances which were very well choreographed and aptly presented to wow the audience.  Cinematic dances often help gear the crowd up. These dances were upbeat and fast therefore the crowd loved it. There were also quite a few folk dances which were performed by children from various age groups. This made the event all the more worthy to watch. There were dances from almost all states of India, in true Malayalee spirit, who accept and acknowledge anything remarkable with open hands.

There were also a few solo song performances which left the audience in a beautiful flight of joy and sweet fantasy. For the first time in New England, the program also included a short film Reflections, directed by Bejoy Nambiar and starring super star Mohanlal. The film is a psychological journey into a human being’s mind set and plunges into his thought process. It was truly a reflection of the director’s ability to transfer an everyday idea into a thought provoking subject. Near the end the participants were presented with certificates for an outstanding performance by Divya Unni. The choreographers, the champions behind the stage who made things happen were also acknowledged for their work. The program ended with the American and the Indian national anthem. It was truly a program not to be missed, for, as many people observed, it was indeed one of the best programs ever presented in New England. The hard work of the committee members and many others, support of the sponsors, the cooperation of the participants, choreographers and the audience and the made it a great Onam celebration. 

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