Onam Cultural Program at ISC Abu Dhabi

By Alphonse Mendonsa, Team Mangalorean, U.A.E.
Bellevision Media network

Abu Dhabi, 18 Sept 2011:  In preparation to the Grand Onam Celebration a colourful cultural program was held at India Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Young and old took part in the beautiful event with little children holding flowers marching towards a dais was a site along with King Mahabhali and his troupes with beautiful costumes and traditional dresses.

 

 

The celebration began with a long procession led to the sound of drums (Chande) and assembled on the large dais of ISC and presented their traditional dances, prayers, music, traditional songs.

John Varghese (Act Hon President) spoke on the occasion and said the Onam is a festival belongs to all, Hindus, Muslims and Christians.  All come together at this season and show their unity in diversity and celebrate this great festival by having meal together.”  M.A. Salam (Hon. Gen. Secretary) welcomed the audience and requested them to participate fully in the grand cultural event and wished them a Happy Onam.

While cultural function was going on at the Main Auditorioum of the centre, a large number of members and their families busy preparing for the grand meal to be served on 16th Friday to a large numbers of invitees, members, guests and well wishers of ISC.

The cultural event involved a lot of dances both traditional and Bollywood types, also members sang traditional Malayalam songs.

"The Onam Meal was held on Friday at ISC which was attended by well known dignitaries namely; Dr. B.R. Shetty (MD NMC), H.E. M.P. Lokesh (Indian Embassador) and many other dignitaries attended this celebration.  The traditional lunch was prepared by ISC members for thousand plus guests. "