ONAM AT MANCHESTER 

The MANCHESTER MALAYALEE ASSOCIATION (MMA) celebrated the ONAM festival at the Pakistan Community Hall, Longsight.  ONAM, one of the most significant festivals of Kerala, the South Western state of India is not only a harvest festival ushering in a season of prosperity but also is known for its period of amity and social cohesion among families and communities. This ten day festival is marked with a celebration of dance, music, sports, boat races and an elaborate vegetarian food served on a banana leaf. Legend has it that King Mahabali, one of the most righteous rulers of Kerala visits his subjects during this period. In Manchester, MMA celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm and around 350 people participated in the function. The programme started with a symbolic visit of King Mahabali and followed by various cultural activities. The programme was attended by His Excellency Mr. Afsal Khan, Lord Mayor of Manchester, Dr. Shkeela Kayani JP, Lady Mayoress, Mr. Paul Goggins, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Mr. NP Sharma, Indian Consul General, Birmingham and Mr. A.K.Sinha, CCDA. The programme ends with a traditional vegetarian feast popularly known as Onasadya.