Onam celebrations to be a quiet affair in city

Nagpur: Eagerly awaited and met with great cheer every year, Thiruvonam (the tenth and final day of Onam festival) will be celebrated rather quietly in the city on Monday.
The all-pervasive coronavirus has put paid to plans for the usual congregations, confining the festive spirit to Malayali households. Associations have called off all public functions, and advised everyone to celebrate indoors.
“Every year, we mark the occasion on a large scale, with gatherings of over 2,000 people. But amid the pandemic, we must take care of each other and the society at large,” said Rajan Nambiar, president of Nair Service Society (NSS).
“Usually, we carry on the festivities over four-five consecutive Sundays at different venues, but all such plans have been dropped this time,” NSS general secretary Santosh Nair added.
Some, like former Keralayee Samajam president Manoj PV, will not be celebrating at all, as their entire family is currently in Kerala.
Most revellers will have to make do with pookkalam (flower rangoli) and Onam Sadhya (feast) at home, and some quality time with family. “Even though muted, celebrations are still on. It’s all about fresh food, clothes and flowers,” said Anil Nair, former NSS president.
Procuring the Sadhya supplies has also been a challenge this time around. “We buy our stuff from Kerala Stores, but the arrival of many materials was delayed due to the lockdown. The prices of many items were hiked too,” said Pavithran Karat, president of Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana, Nagpur chapter.
“I visited Kerala Store today. Because of the stalling of a goods train, bananas were overripe and raw mangoes got spoiled. Some items had to be transported on trucks,” Santosh added.
The main regret, though, is not being able to meet and greet friends and relatives. “We always purchase new clothes and meet each other in Onam functions. We won’t be able to show off our new dress this time,” Pavithran lamented.