Midwest Indian Cultural Society holds Onam cultural festival in Geraldton with Thiruvathira dance and Sadhya

A unique annual festival celebrated by people from a southern Indian state was held in Geraldton at the weekend, celebrating the rice harvest, King Mahabali and Vamana with traditional dance and feasting. The Onam cultural festival was held at the Catholic Centre on Maitland Street on Saturday, September 2, celebrated by the Malayalee community. A Thiruvathira dance co-ordinated by Natya School of Indian Classical and Bollywood dance was performed by 26 ladies, a record number of participants in Geraldton, according to the Mid West Indian Cultural Society. The dance is considered to bring a long and successful married life and female energy. Society founder Hari Kumar said it was great to see the women perform the dance in traditional Kerala Sarees with their hair buns adorned with fresh jasmine flowers. Mr Kumar said Onam was the festival that brought together all communities in Kerala, a State in the southern part of India, and was celebrated in grandeur. “On this day Hindus, Christians and Muslims come together to welcome their King Mahabali, who was banished from earth by Lord Vishnu, but (is) allowed to come visit his people once a year on Onam Day,” he said. The committee organised a memorable event with games and activities that are traditional to Onam, including the vegetarian feast Sadhya, served on a banana leaf with 18 dishes.