The city’s largest expat community is in a festive mood. Onam, the biggest festival of the Malayali community from the South Indian state of Kerala, is just round the corner. Abu Dhabi, and indeed the UAE, shares a special bond with the people of this community who comprise, according to an unofficial estimate, 65 per cent of the 1.5 million Indians who have made this country their home. Though not following the traditional 10 day long festival, the community members in the city made sure they did not completely miss out on the fun. Residing in the UAE for the past 10 years, Mini, who runs a Music Institute, says that she has been keeping alive the spirit of Onam despite being away from home. “Laying out intricate floral designs are difficult here because of the lack of availability of flowers, but we make sure we put up at least a small Pookkalam and also invite our friends every year for Sadya", she said. Rejith, who works at a travel agency, says, "Being a bachelour means my Onam celebrations are at a good restaurant where I get traditional food. This is the time of the year I feel homesick the most... there are many nostalgic moments about the festival." Meena Sharaf, employed in an insurance company, says Onam is also a time for helping other communities "understand our culture and tradition." As for any Malayali, Onam is very special to me, wherever I am, whether I am in India or in any part of the world. It is my passion, it is my beloved festival, and it is strongly bonded to many of my dearest memories, a string of nostalgic memories. But Kerala has changed a lot, Keralites changed a lot. The spirit of Onam is gone...Onam is different now, so somewhere we lost the meaning of Onam. The Onam is now celebrated in more mechanical way. With no heart involved. With no spirit and no compassion still it gives me an opportunity to think more about my state, my town, my village, my friends as any other Malayali.
The writer is Research Officer, Abu Dabi National Oil Company
