Happy Onam to one and all! Today us mallus at NITIE got together to bring the experience of Onam to our campus. Onam, which is one THE most important festivals of Kerala, traditionally encompass a myriad set of activities.Some of them include, making the "athapoo"- which is a circular floral arrangement done on the floor, tug-of-war, the onam dance - performed by the lovely ladies clad in the traditonal cream sarees....the list is endless. There is of course a story behind why Onam is celebrated.

Of course, us Mallus were in no position to arrange for all these activities. But nevertheless, we arranged for the Onasadhya or the Onam Lunch at our staff canteen. We had a larger than expected turnout and we were happy to see the smiles on peoples faces after their meal. It just made our day :)

A huge thanks also to Ron, Neo, Josh, M.Raj, Gaurav, VAK, Sudeepa, Sabya and many others without whose help this event would not have been a success. Thanx for being a part of our celebrations guys!

Arthi, one of our juniors wrote this poem recounting her Onasadhya Experience


Mallu Food On a Banana Leaf….

Luscious emerald, becomes the dull green
When with water it is cleared
For a banana leaf finds its sheen
When laid barely upon the earth

The ghee added to steaming rice
Exudes a mouthwatering, tantalizing smell
And it would come as no big a surprise
As to how with every side dish they do gel

From the humble rasam to the sambar, so strong
Each dish has a flavor that entices the mind
For piquant lemon flavored pickle, the mouth does long
While sampling chutneys of various kinds

The curries each have their zing
Either spicy, tangy, bitter or sweet
Among the plantain and other things
In an amazing delectable mélange these meet

The poppadoms and plantain chips provide
An incomparable accompaniment to every dish
Even though they are placed by the side
They are every hungry gourmets wish

Even the humble rice and curd
Mixed on the banana leaf
Leave me in search of words
To describe their union, too brief

The last to be served up
But none to say the least
It left everyone refilling their cups
The milk payasam was the queen of the feast

Each dish so unique
Each with its own taste
Your stomach wants to speak
To tell your mouth not to make haste

But instead savor the flavor
Of each morsel, each bite
To hold the feeling forever
Seems uppermost in the mind

Finally after many servings and helpings one feels
Too full to get up and leave the delicacies
Each looking forward to an afternoon’s sleep
And praying that God sends Onam again next week..

- V.P. Arthi