Onam festivities open in Kozhikode with week of cultural events and water sports
The week-long district-level Onam celebrations in Kozhikode began on Monday at Freedom Square on Kozhikode beach, with Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty inaugurating the event. In his address, the Minister said Onam was an occasion when people rose above differences of caste and religion in a spirit of unity, reflecting the cultural ethos of Kerala.
Several elected representatives were present at the inaugural function, including Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan and MLAs K. Praveenkumar, M.A. Razak, V.K. Fyzal Babu, and Parakkal Abdulla. The event is being organised jointly by the District Tourism Promotion Council, the Tourism Department, and the district administration.
The opening day featured a performance by the Thaikoodam Bridge band, setting the tone for the week ahead. Among the highlights scheduled are a dance performance by Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and a comedy show by Hareesh Kanaran and Nirmal Palazhi on August 25. On August 26, singer Naresh Iyer and his party, along with Dhwanitharang Kochi, will take the stage.
In addition to the main venue, cultural programmes have been planned across the district. Theatre productions will be staged at the Town Hall from August 25 to 29. Bhatt Road Beach will host Sufi dance and concerts during the same period. Folk arts will be showcased at Mananchira from August 25 to 27, while classical dance and music recitals are scheduled at Tali for the same days. Ghazals, Kolkali, and women’s musical concerts have been arranged at Kuttichira from August 25 to 27.
For those interested in outdoor and adventure activities, a Water Fest is scheduled at Korapuzha on August 25, followed by events at Akalappuzha on August 26 and Kappad on August 27. A kayaking festival will be held at Ulloor Kadavu on August 29.
The entire celebration is being funded through a ₹40-lakh grant from the Tourism Department, with additional support from local businesses and organisational sponsorships. The varied schedule aims to attract both residents and tourists, offering a blend of traditional art, music, and recreation that defines Kerala’s harvest festival.
