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The peak of summer will not dampen spirits of the Indian community in Bahrain preparing for the post-monsoon harvest festival – Onam.
South Indians, specifically Keralites, will gather on Monday to celebrate the final and most auspicious day of the 10-day long festival.
During the festive period, a wide range of fun activities, games, programmes, and entertainment is planned. Customs also include wearing brand new clothes, giving money to the younger members in the family as well as feeding the poor and needy.
Amongst them the most common sights are, especially outside India, the ‘pookkalam’ (flower arrangements), ‘kaikottikali’ (dance form by a group of women) and the extremely lavish and scrumptious feast – ‘Onasadhya’.
According to legends, Onam is celebrated in tribute to the generous and hospitable ruler of Kerala, King Mahabali. His reign saw a very peaceful and harmonious golden age.
His popularity, however, displeased the Hindu Gods who conceived a plan and sent him to the nether world. Prior to leaving this world, he requested God to grant him one wish – to be able to come back each year and visit his subjects.
Onam is thus celebrated to commemorate his visit each year, right after the monsoons and during the spring-harvest season.
In Bahrain, various Indian outlets are serving the lavish feast in accordance with the festival. The feast, which is an integral part of the festival, includes a nine-course vegetarian meal served fresh on a clean banana leaf.
We have compiled a list of the typical items you will find on your leaf, were you to feast on this scrumptious meal fit for a king! Chef A K Faisal, above, from the Sopanam Restaurant, off Exhibition Road in Hoora, shares three of his recipes with GulfWeekly readers.
By Shilpa Chandran
