{
  "id": 3100487,
  "title": "Week-long Onam celebrations begin in Kozhikode",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/week-long-onam-celebrations-begin-in-kozhikode",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T19:43:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/week-long-onam-celebrations-begin-in-kozhikode/article71385653.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kozhikode, Kerala began a week-long Onam festival on Monday with an opening ceremony at Freedom Square beach, according to Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty. The minister highlighted that Onam symbolizes unity, transcending caste and religious divides. Notable attendees included Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan, MLAs K. Praveenkumar, M.A. Razak, V.K. Fyzal Babu, and Parakkal Abdulla. The event, organized by the District Tourism Promotion Council, Tourism Department, and district administration, kicked off with a performance by the Thaikoodam Bridge band. Subsequent highlights include a dance performance by Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and a comedy show featuring Hareesh Kanaran and Nirmal Palazhi, scheduled for August 25. Additional acts for August 26 will feature Naresh Iyer and party, as well as Dhwanitharang Kochi. Across the district, various events are planned, including theatre productions at the Town Hall, Sufi dance and concerts at Bhatt Road Beach, folk arts at Mananchira, classical dance and music at Tali, and ghazals, Kolkali, and women’s musical concerts at Kuttichira. Water sports and outdoor activities, such as a Water Fest at Korapuzha, events at Akalappuzha and Kappad, and a kayaking fest at Ulloor Kadavu, are also slated for the week. The festival, funded by a ₹40-lakh grant from the Tourism department and local sponsorships, aims to bring the community together in a spirit of celebration and cultural exchange.",
  "summary": "A dance performance by Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and a comedy show by Hareesh Kanaran and Nirmal Palazhi will be staged on August 25",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Wayanad gears up for week-long Onam celebrations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/wayanad-gears-up-for-week-long-onam-celebrations",
        "published": "2026-08-24T18:49:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}