Keralam CM Satheesan extends Onam greetings, calls for ‘unity beyond caste and religion’

In Keralam, the festival of Onam serves as a cultural bridge connecting generations together. For 75-year-old Kalyani Amma from Thrissur, Onam represents not only the joy of family reunions and sharing traditional dishes but also the responsibility of preserving customs for future generations. As she explains, when her grandchildren inquire about various dishes or customs, she willingly shares her knowledge to ensure tradition endures.

Across the state, elders uphold tradition by preparing the elaborate sadya feast from scratch and maintaining age-old rituals. Meanwhile, millennials shoulder modern responsibilities such as organizing family get-togethers and coordinating logistics. Gen Z adds a contemporary touch by embracing updated fashion, inclusive values, and sharing their celebrations on social media.

For older generations like V. Gopikrishnan and Vidya Prem, Onam remains deeply rooted in rituals and family memories. Gopikrishnan reflects on the simpler celebrations of his youth, while Vidya Prem emphasizes the joy of gathering with family and friends. Both appreciate the significance of laying a pookkalam and cooking the traditional sadya to make the festival complete.

Gen Z sees Onam as an opportunity to reinterpret tradition rather than discard it entirely. Archana Babu, a student, expresses her love for traditional attire while experimenting with styling. Anand Jose, another Gen Zer, encourages young people to find their unique way of connecting with tradition, rejecting the notion of outright rejection.

For millennials, Onam offers a chance to reconnect with family amidst busy work schedules. They organize travel arrangements, grocery shopping, and traditional games to revive childhood memories. Maya and Sneha Mohan highlight the role of millennials as the link between parents' traditions and their own children's generation, reaffirming that bringing everyone together still defines the festival's essence.