Kerala’s vibrant harvest festival, Onam, arrives in September, bringing with it a spirit of joy, togetherness, and cultural immersion. For busy corporate teams, college groups, and alumni associations, planning an Onam celebration can feel like a challenge. But fear not! With Onam a few months away in September, this guide equips you with everything you need to create a memorable event, allowing ample time for planning and preparation.
Onam Celebration Step-by-Step Planning:
Budgeting: Set a realistic budget for venue rental, decorations, the quintessential Onam Sadhya, and any planned entertainment.
Date & Time: Choose a date and time that works best for most members, considering work/college schedules and potential conflicts.
Finding the Perfect Venue: The venue should accommodate your guest list, any planned activities, and catering services. Think spacious halls for comfortable seating, dedicated areas for creating stunning Pookkalam, and maybe even a space for a friendly Vadamvali competition!
Delegate Tasks: Form a committee or assign roles (decorations, invitations, entertainment) to leverage your group’s strengths and ensure a smooth planning process.
Traditional Onam Celebration Activities:
Pookkalam Competition: Organize a vibrant competition where teams create stunning Pookkalam, a classic Onam activity that brings out everyone’s creativity. Teams can get creative, incorporating traditional designs and modern artistic elements. This activity not only enhances the festive atmosphere but also fosters teamwork and a sense of community.
Vadamvali: Gather teams for a fun and competitive vadamvali, a traditional Onam game that symbolizes unity and strength. Vadamvali, or tug-of-war, is a popular game during Onam celebrations. It brings out the competitive spirit among participants and is a great way to engage everyone in some physical activity. Organizing a Vadamvali competition with proper safety measures can add excitement to your event.
Thiruvathira: Perform Thiruvathira, a graceful folk dance performed by women during Onam. Including Thiruvathira in your Onam celebration can provide a cultural touch and showcase the rich heritage of Kerala. Encourage participants to dress in traditional attire to add to the authenticity.
Mahabali Appearance: Consider inviting an actor or artist to dress as Mahabali, the legendary king, and interact with guests, adding a touch of cultural authenticity. King Mahabali is a beloved figure in Onam mythology, and his appearance can make the celebration more engaging, especially for children. The interaction with King Mahabali can include storytelling sessions about the legend of Onam and photo opportunities.
Onam Sadhya: Partner with a caterer specializing in authentic Onam Sadhya. Ensure the caterer can provide a full Sadhya experience with all the traditional items like avial, sambar, and payasam.
Additional Tips for an Engaging Onam Celebration:
Play Traditional Music: Fill the air with the soulful sounds of traditional Kerala music, like Onam songs. Create a playlist of popular Onam songs and traditional Kerala music to keep the atmosphere lively and festive. Consider hiring local musicians to perform live music for a more authentic experience.
Encourage Traditional Attire: Encourage attendees to wear Kerala’s traditional attire, like mundu for men and set saree for women, to add a touch of authenticity to the celebration. Host a small fashion show or a best-dressed competition to make this more engaging. This not only adds to the festive mood but also helps in keeping the cultural heritage alive.
Incorporate Onam Games: Organize fun Onam-themed games like ‘kalam thallal’ or a competition for the best Onam-themed outfit (Malayali Manka and Mannan). These games and performances can be entertaining and provide a deeper cultural experience for your guests. Organizing these games can also encourage participation from all age groups.
Serve Authentic Snacks: Besides the grand Onam Sadhya, serve traditional snacks like banana chips, achappam (rose cookies), and unniyappam (sweet rice fritters) to keep the guests delighted throughout the celebration. These snacks can be served during breaks or as part of a welcome package.
Cultural Storytelling Sessions: Include sessions where elders or professional storytellers narrate tales from Kerala’s rich folklore and the story of Mahabali. This can be a great way to keep the younger generation engaged and informed about the cultural significance of Onam.
Planning a successful Onam celebration doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting early and following these steps, you can create a memorable and culturally enriching experience for your group. So embrace the spirit of Onam, celebrate the harvest, and strengthen your community bonds with a festive gathering!
With ample time for planning, you can explore various venue options. If you’re looking for a venue that ticks all the boxes and offers a beautiful green ambiance to enhance your Onam celebrations, consider Udyan Convention & Exhibition Centre. Many corporate teams, college groups, and alumni associations chose Udyan for their Onam celebrations last year, and with good reason!
Onam Celebration at Udyan
Udyan provides you with a naturally and beautifully set venue to celebrate your Onam with full options at a very attractive value-package. At Udyan, you needn’t cut corners on your celebration. We organize everything in full and set the venue for you to celebrate and enjoy. For several years, Udyan has been the most preferred venue for several corporate heavyweights and business houses, spanning many industries, to celebrate their Onam with all bells and whistles. Make your Onam etched in memory with all the paraphernalia and celebration.
For more information or to book your onam celebration at Udyan Convention Centre, please contact us. We have another segment called Udyan Hangout. It is specially for small gatherings, Corporate meetings, and Working in a peaceful atmosphere.