Ballarat’s Malayalee community marked a special occasion this weekend as their annual Onam celebrations coincided with the inauguration of the Ballarat Malayalee Assocation.
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Ballarat Malayalee Association Sherly Saju said the Onam is one of the most important festivals in Kerala and this year’s event was attended by Ballarat MP Catherine King on Saturday as the organisation was officially inaugurated.
“This time we are celebrating along with our association inauguration. We recently registered the Ballarat Malayalee Association and we are going to launch that today.” Ms Saju said.
“This is the harvest festival, which we celebrate every year in September. It came from Hindu mythology but it is celebrated by all communities of Kerala.”
She said the highlight of the festival is called the Thiruvathirakali, a dance performed by women celebrating female energy. The event will also feature cultural activities performed by kids as well as bollywood dances and songs.
The Malayalee community is a combination of Keralan groups including Hindus, Christians and occasionally Muslims, Ms Saju said, and around 100 Malayalees families are involved with the Ballarat association.
