Keralites celebrate their harvest festival, Onam, today (23rd August, 2010) decorating their homes with a traditional flower arrangement (pookalam), preparing a feast (onasadya) and gift each other new clothes to commemorate the legend of the noble demon (asura) king Mahabali. Bollywood isn’t new to these celebrations and the greetings are pouring in.
Shah Rukh Khan was among the first wishers on Twitter, “Happy Onam…I just did wear a south Indian ethnic garb & wished the people in the south Happy Onam for TV. God bless you all.” Amitabh Bacchchan was next with, “Happy Onam to all my friends in Kerala and indeed all over… love and the best wishes.” Vivek Oberoi followed soon after with an extensive greeting and explanation “Hey tweeps!…Onam marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali and the festival, which lasts 10 days, is grandly celebrated in Kerala. This beautiful celebration…rises above all barriers of religion, caste, creed and financial status. Here’s wishing all my Malayali friends a Happy Onam with beautiful new beginnings…hridayam niranja onashamsakal”
Not to be left behind were Preity Zinta, Genelia D’souza, Riteish Deshmukh, Madhur Bhandarkar, Bipasha Basu, Anupam Kher and Mugdha Godse, who wished all their Malayalee friends a happy onam.
So how are the Mallus in Bollywood celebrating Onam? While the gorgeous Asin is going the tummy way by treating her unit to a traditional feast, Sushma Reddy is doing it with prayers.
Here’s wishing all of you a very happy Onam!
– By Koimoi.com Team