Cape Breton Malayali Association celebrates culture with annual festival

The annual Onanilavu Festival features Malayali cultural performances, including dances, as well as Kerala-style cuisine and plenty of activities and games. This year’s celebration takes place at the Glace Bay Miners Forum on Saturday. Photo by CAPE BRETON MALAYALI ASSOCIATION /CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentFor five years, the Cape Breton Malayali Association has put together the biggest Malayali cultural celebration on the island: the Onanilavu Festival.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentFrom Aug. 16-26, Malayalis across the world celebrated Onam, a 10-day harvest festival with origins in Kerala that signifies the return of King Mahabali from Hindu mythology who, in Kerala, is said to be a ruler bringing peace and prosperity.Article contentArticle contentThe main day of celebrations is typically Thiruvonam — Aug. 26. However, the Cape Breton Malayali Association is hosting what might be their biggest festival yet at the Glace Bay Miners Forum throughout the day and night on Saturday.Article content“It’s one of the biggest celebrations we have for our community,” said Sachu Krishna, the association’s president, who mentioned that the name of their festival, Onanilavu, means “beautiful autumn evening.”Article content Sachu Krishna is president of the Cape Breton Malayali Association. Photo by SACHU KRISHNA /CONTRIBUTEDArticle content‘FOR ALL OF CAPE BRETON’Article contentThe festival began in 2021 to bring a piece of home for Malayalis to Cape Breton. Now, they want to make the festival a celebration everyone can take part in.Article content“We started with the goal in mind to get everyone together in one place to have a celebration,” Krishna said. “Then, we grew. Now, we want to make it more accessible and inclusive. Not just for our community, but for all of Cape Breton.”Article contentKrishna said the celebrations kick off at 11 a.m. with a ceremony featuring noted dignitaries, which will lead into a day full of activities, games, performances, dancing and food.Article contentArticle content“The biggest highlight is our traditional vegetarian sadya, which includes 20 plus vegetarian dishes,” Krishna said. “We have kids’ inflatable playhouses, inflatable axe throwing for kids, and we have a 360-degree camera shoot. We have a photo booth with insta-printing.Article contentArticle content“We have a big tug-of-war game there, and also chenda melam, which is a traditional group drum event.”Article contentIn the evening, starting around 6 p.m., DJ Lal will take over and transform the venue into an all-out dance party. The event will conclude around 11 p.m.Article contentThe Cape Breton Malayali Association started planning the event in earnest around February of this year. Alen Francy, the vice-president of the association, said they expect around 600 guests to attend from across the island.Article content“Onam is about peace, quality, and prosperity,” Francy said. “We want to show to everyone that we are doing this in a way that brings prosperity. Not to one community, but to the whole community.Article content“We are here as a family. Not just the South Indian community, but the whole of Cape Breton.”