Fete marks Onam celebration

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Nearly 200 teams vied with each other to win the pookkalam contest conducted as part of the Onam celebrations by the Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayali Associations (CTMA) in the city on Sunday.

The two-day function began with the hoisting of flag by CTMA founder president M.P. Purushothaman at St George Anglo-Indian School campus on Poonamallee High Road on Saturday.

Yesteryear actress Sheela inaugurated the Pookkalam (floral carpet) competition on Sunday morning, which saw active participation of 200 teams.

Kerala Kalasamithi, Southern Railway, bagged the first price for pookkalam, which carried a cash award of `50,000. Actor Jayaram also attended the function.

Kerala Sahitya Academy president Perumbadavam Sreedharan inaugurated Sahitya Sangamam (cultural meet), at 10 am.

Kerala Sahitya Academy member Vujayakumar Kunisseri presided over the function. Poet-lyricist P.K. Gopi and writer K.R. Meera spoke on the occasion.

Sunday’s main attraction was thayambaka performance by percussionist Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar and group.

Kozhikode Kalakshetra’s Theyyam and Thira (folk art forms from North Malabar) was a rare visual treat for the malayalis in Chennai.

A music programme by playback singer M.G. Sreekumar, which was followed by fusion music, made the day memorable.

Tamil Nadu Assembly speaker D. Jayakumar attended the public meeting in the evening.
CTMA president Nanda Govind presided over the function.