( Kerala Governor flags off the show at Manaveeyam Veedhi )
TTT NEWS NETWORK
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 3 SEPTEMBER 2023:
The week-long Onam celebrations organised by the State Tourism Department has head to its crescendo with a spectacular cultural pageantry in the capital city on this Saturday evening, bringing alive a profusion of classical, ethnic and folk traditions as floats with the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments.
Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan has flagged off the floating show at 5 pm at Manaveeyam Veedhi. Minister for Tourism and Public Works, Mr. P A Mohamed Riyas has handed over the traditional wind instrument ‘Kombu’ to the main artiste, setting the rhythm for the spectacle to wend its way along the thoroughfares of the city, enthralling the onlookers thronging to watch the procession.
Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Mr. A N Shamseer has been the chief guest. Minister for General Education and Labour, Mr. V Sivankutty, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. G R Anil, and Transport Minister, Mr. Antony Raju were also present on the occasion.
Mr. Riyas said the show, organised on grand scale by spending about Rs 34 lakh, has offered vivid glimpses into the diverse artistic and cultural heritage of the country and the state. The pageantry has been organised by strictly adhering to the green protocol. Around 3,000 artistes have participated in the pageantry which features 60 floats that reflect the rich cultural fabric of the State and the country.
As many as 10 artforms have been from other states. Nearly 180 artistes from Maharashtra (Lavani Dance), Madhya Pradesh (Badhai Dance), Andhra Pradesh (Tappeta Gullu Folk Dance), Odisha (Sambalpuri Folk Dance), Rajasthan (Chari Folk Dance), Gujarat (Dangi), Assam (Bodo Folk Dance), Tamil Nadu (Thappu Dance), Karnataka (Veeragase Dance) and Uttar Pradesh (Mayurnatya) have joined the show. Display of traditional musical ensemble and artforms connecting the festival and cultural programmes across the State were highlights of the pageantry.
The show winded up at East Fort, after moving through the heart of the city from Vellayambalam. Mounted police and men donned in Kerala’s traditional attire displaying pearl-studded parasols and Mohiniyattam dancers with palm leaf umbrellas had line up in the show. The procession have featured Velakali, Venchamaram, Alavattam besides performing traditional art forms like Theyyam, Kathakali, Padayani, Pulikali, Oppana, Margamkali, Duffmuttu, Thiruvathira, Mayyora Nritham, Garudan Parava, Chavittunadakam etc. There have been floats of central and state governments, quasi-government establishments as well as local self-government and co-operative institutions.
The VVIP pavilion to watch Onam pageantry has been up in front of the Public Libraryand a VIP pavilion in front of University College. Artforms has also been staged in the special stage put up near Museum gate. Children needing special needs also had separate seating arrangements to watch the pageantry.
Also, there have been special seatings for tourists. Elaborate security arrangements and necessary traffic regulations have been made for the smooth progress of the procession, and for people to view it in a hassle-free manner.
Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the celebrations on August 27, setting the stage for a variety of classical, folk, ethnic, and popular art forms to come alive in multiple venues in the state capital and districts across the state for a week.
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