WOOLGOOLGA Stadium came alive with colour, music, and the aroma of a feast on 31 August, as the Association of the Malayalees of the Mid North Coast of Australia (AMMA) hosted its annual Onam celebrations.
Onam is a 10-day Hindu festival originating in Kerala, India.
It marks the end of the harvest season and commemorates the return of King Mahabali, who, according to legend, visits his people once a year from the netherworld.
In Woolgoolga, Mahabali’s arrival came with a local twist, as he rode in on a handcrafted elephant created by local artist Sibu Balan.
This 12th local Onam drew together more than 400 Malayalees from across the Mid North Coast.
Joining the celebrations were local elder Uncle Richard Widders, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and, from the Mid North Coast Local Health District, Chief Executive Jill Wong and Acting Director of Communication and Strategy Carolyn Guichard.
The AMMA community wore traditional attire; women in Kasavu sarees edged with gold, men in crisp mundus (cream dhotis with golden borders), and children in festive dress.
Following custom, the first serving of the Onam Sadhya – a grand vegetarian banquet of 18 dishes on banana leaves – was set aside for Mahabali before the guests were served.
The choice of leaf carried special resonance on the Mid North Coast, linking Kerala’s agrarian traditions with the region’s own banana-growing heritage.
The cultural program featured more than 20 performances including traditional dances, folklore, mimicry, instrumental music, cinematic routines, and plays, showcasing talent across generations finding a platform for creativity, confidence, and connection.
Many items drew on the diverse worlds of Indian cinema, with songs and dances inspired by Malayalam as well as other regional film traditions, including Bollywood.
It showed that while Onam is rooted in Kerala’s heritage, the celebration also embraces the wider cultural diversity of India.
Particularly moving was the sense of continuity; children who once shyly performed small acts at AMMA’s first Onam are today confident young adults, serving as masters of ceremonies and guiding younger children on stage.
They have moved from being nurtured to nurturing, encouraging the next generation to dance, sing, and perform just as they once did.
Much of the success was due to the leadership of AMMA’s president Jacob John, together with committee members Delna Davis, Akhil Viswanathan, Junaid P.S., and Fibil Mathew, whose dedication has enabled Malayalees on the Mid North Coast to celebrate their heritage while enriching the wider fabric of Australian community life.
By Andrea FERRARI
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