PHOENIX, AZ — Kerala Hindus of Arizona (KHA) celebrated Onam Ponnonam with great enthusiasm on Saturday, August 22, at the Indo-American Cultural Center. The celebration brought together families and community members for a day filled with Kerala’s rich cultural traditions, music, dance, and a grand Onam Sadhya.
The program opened with the traditional lighting of the lamp by KHA officials Jiju Appukuttan, Vivek, Dhaneesh, Arun, and Sajin. The event was hosted by emcees Jilsy Dins and Poornima Santhosh. A beautifully decorated floral rangoli, created by volunteers in front of a traditional Tharavadu-style backdrop, added a nostalgic touch and recreated the festive atmosphere of Kerala.

One of the highlights was the elegant Thiruvathira performance by KHA’s women volunteers, dressed in traditional Kerala attire. The performance was choreographed by Sabitha Sujith and received enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.

Around 11:30 a.m., the sound of Chenda Melam announced the much-awaited arrival of Mahabali. The grand procession featured decorated Muthukudas, Thalappoli, and Vanchipattu. The organizers gave Mahabali a warm welcome, and Mahabali conveyed Onam greetings to his beloved prajas, creating a memorable festive moment for everyone.

The celebration continued with a variety of cultural programs presented by talented local artists, children, and community members. The grand Onam Sadhya began around noon, featuring more than 30 traditional dishes served on banana leaves. The homemade feast was coordinated by Sreekumar Kaithavana, Krishna Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Anand, and Jolal Karukaran, with the dedicated support of numerous volunteers.

KHA President Jiju Appukuttan expressed his appreciation for the tremendous support from the Arizona community. He noted that more than 50 volunteers worked tirelessly on the Sadhya preparations, while a core team of about 10 volunteers worked continuously for nearly 24 hours to make the celebration a success.
The festivities concluded around 4 p.m. with the singing of the American and Indian national anthems, ending a memorable celebration that beautifully showcased Kerala’s traditions, cultural heritage, and the strong community spirit of KHA in Arizona.