THE Hulu Langat Malayalees (HLM) is staging a musical and dance performance to celebrate the Onam festival on the eve of Merdeka.

The Onolsavam’09 will be held at the Auditorium, New Era College, in Kajang at 8pm with traditional performances from local and international artistes.

The onam festival is celebrated in Kerala, India, by all Malayalees regardless of religious differences and caste. The event is often remembered for two reasons – one of which is to commemorate a legendary King, Mahabali, who was known for his prosperous reign.

After an incident in which he was expelled by Vamana (a dwarf), he was granted permission to visit his subjects once a year. That time would fall on the first Malayalam month of Chingam, a time people celebrated with grandeur.

Special treat: Guests will also get to view the Ottamthullal.

Onam is also the harvest festival marked by thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. This year, Onam or Thiruonam as it is called falls on Sept 2.

HLM’s activities are aimed at inculcating knowledge and respect for the Malayalee culture especially in the younger generation.

“Onolsavam’09 is being organised to foster a sense of belonging within the Malayalee community and to build close ties with other communities in Hulu Langat,” committee chairman B. Ravindran Nair said.

He added that this cultural harmony that Onam evoked was something that all Malayalees could be proud of.

Among the unique performances lined up are the Nirupama Lasya, a display of Kerala’s traditional and unique dance forms, like Mohiniyattom, Thiruvathira, Vallamkali, Kalarippayattu.

Malaysian Malayalees will have the privilege of viewing the Ottamthullal, often called the “poor man’s Kathakali”, being staged for the first time in Malaysia. The dance depicts a single actor donning colourful costumes and reciting the thullal lyrics (dance songs) from the Indian epic, Mahabaratha.

The children of HLM will be performing the Gopikavasantham, which describes the divine love of gopis (maidens) for Lord Krishna in Brindavan. These dances have been choreographed by Vinduja Menon from Kerala.

The three-hour performance also features songs by many well-known local artistes like Preetha Prasad, Manivannan, Shobana and Sanjiv Nair.

The evening festivities staged in front of a Tharavadu, the Malayalee ancestral home, are reminiscent of onam celebrations in Kerala when the young and old gather together to rejoice.

Limited number of invitation cards are available for those interested in attending this onam programme. For details, contact Ravi (012-202 0380), Thaiyalan (012-311 6951), Dr. Sree (012-227 3665) or Prakash (012-231 5350).