BELLEROSE, NY (TIP): The spirit of Kerala’s most cherished festival came alive in Queens as friends and community leaders gathered at Dilbar Restaurant in Bellerose for a traditional Onam feast on the auspicious occasion of Thiruvonam.
The guest of honor was Addanki Dayakar, Member of the Telangana Legislative Council and Government Whip, who attended along with his wife, Nagamani. Among those joining the celebration were Indrajit Saluja, Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama; George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, USA, and his wife Lona; Dr. Brahm Tandra and his wife Usha; and noted Indian Supreme Court lawyer Ashok Arora.
The centerpiece of the celebration was the traditional Onasadya, with a generous assortment of Kerala delicacies recalling the festive tables of homes across Kerala. The elaborate vegetarian feast, traditionally served with numerous curries, side dishes, pickles, rice, sambar, avial, pachadi and payasam, remains one of the most beloved features of Onam.
Thiruvonam is the most important day of the ten-day Onam festival. According to Kerala tradition, Onam commemorates the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, whose reign is remembered as an era of prosperity, equality and harmony. Over the centuries, Onam has grown beyond religious and social boundaries to become a celebration in which Malayalis everywhere come together in a spirit of unity, love and brotherhood.
That spirit was very much present in Bellerose. Around the dining table, differences of religion, region and political affiliation gave way to friendship and fellowship—the very qualities that have made Onam such a uniquely unifying celebration for the people of Kerala.
For the Kerala diaspora in New York, Onam has also become much more than a remembrance of a festival back home. It is a bridge between generations and between two homelands. Across the New York metropolitan area, Malayali families and community organizations recreate the traditions of Kerala through Onam gatherings, floral decorations, cultural programs and, of course, the much-anticipated Onasadya.
Thousands of miles away from Kerala, the familiar flavors and traditions bring back memories of childhood, family gatherings and the unmistakable excitement of Thiruvonam. At the same time, such celebrations introduce younger generations growing up in America to the rich cultural heritage of their parents and grandparents.
The gathering at Dilbar Restaurant reflected the enduring message of Onam: prosperity has its greatest meaning when it is shared, and a community is strongest when people come together in unity, love and brotherhood.
For a few memorable hours in Queens, the flavors of Kerala, the warmth of friendship and the spirit of Mahabali’s legendary kingdom found a home once again in New York.
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