Brandon’s Malayalees put on a feast for the eyes and tastebuds to honour legendary ruler

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This article was published 15/10/2015 (3864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

King Mahabali returned to Brandon this year, in his annual visit to the world.

He was welcomed with a rousing reception by Brandon’s Malayali community at a community centre on Sept. 12. This was the legendary king’s second visit to Brandon from the underworld, his first being last September.

Brandon’s Malayalees organized a grand reception and cultural program, including dances, mono-acts, games, floral decorations and sumptuous community-cooked multi-cuisine meals, to commemorate the golden and just rule of King Mahabali.

About Onam

Onam is the national festival of Kerala, a lush southern state of India. With a number of rivers flowing across the landscape to the sea, with ghats, backwaters, beaches, tropical rainforests, mountain tea gardens, and abundant and diverse flora and fauna, Kerala is a beautiful tourist destination — and famously known as “God’s own country.”

The people of this state speak a language called Malayalam, one of the 28 officially recognized languages of India, and therefore are called Malayalees.

Malayalees living in native Kerala and around the world celebrate Onam every year with many cultural programs, snake boat racing, floral decorations, special multi-cuisine meals with more than 20 menu items, special traditional clothes, many festivities and entertainment programs.

THE LEGEND OF KING MAHABALI

Legend has it that once upon a time, a benevolent and just king named Mahabali ruled Kerala.

During his reign, there was absolute equality among the people, with no discrimination of any sort. His subjects never lied or made sarcastic comments, justice prevailed across the society, and the people lived happily amid prosperity, camaraderie and peace.

His rising fame and love from his people annoyed and scared the demigods in heaven, who plotted to overthrow him. In disguise as a mendicant, the demigod approached King Mahabali and begged for three feet of land to meditate. King Mahabali granted this bizarre request.

At this point, the demigod grew in size so huge that his one foot covered the land area of all of the kingdom. His second foot covered all the space around and then King Mahabali had nothing left to offer.

True to his character, King Mahabali offered his head by bowing, with a request that he be allowed to visit his beloved subjects once a year to enquire about their well-being. The demigod thus tricked King Mahabali to give up his rule and banished him to the underworld.

The Onam festival is celebrated every year to commemorate his golden utopian rule, by welcoming this noble king on his annual visit to this world.

ONAM IN BRANDON

About 50 Malayalees living in and around Brandon, participated in the celebration of Onam this year.

The various activities included games, traditional ladies and gents attires, mimicry, mono-acts, children’s dance, ladies dance, gents group dance, couple dance, group songs, a tug-of-war and much more — all conducted with spirit and excitement.

Attractions included a floral decoration unique to the Onam celebration.

The highlight of the program, however, was the sumptuous and delicious traditional meal with more than 25 items, served on fresh banana leaves, called “Ona Sadhya” — all cooked by community participation.

The Malayalees of Brandon then bid adieu to their beloved King Mahabali, remembering their cultural heritage with nostalgia, and a promise of a grand welcome during his next annual visit.

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