Thiruvananthapuram: The Onam Week celebrations organised by the Kerala Tourism Department will conclude today, August 30, with a spectacular cultural procession through the heart of Thiruvananthapuram.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will flag off the grand procession at 5 pm, marking the culmination of the celebrations. The colourful parade will begin near Lok Bhavan and proceed towards East Fort, showcasing Kerala’s cultural heritage alongside artistic traditions from several parts of India.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Cultural, Tourism and Cinema Minister P.C. Vishnunath, and Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan are among the prominent personalities expected to participate.
69 Floats and 99 Art Forms
The grand finale procession will feature 69 floats representing various government departments and institutions, along with 99 different art forms.
Performances by local cultural groups and skating demonstrations will add further excitement to the event. The procession is expected to offer a vibrant visual experience for residents, visitors and tourists gathered along the route.
Cultural Traditions from Across India
Apart from Kerala’s traditional art forms, the procession will also feature cultural performances from several Indian states.
Artists and cultural groups representing Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Telangana and Maharashtra will participate in the celebrations.
The event is expected to showcase India’s cultural diversity and reinforce the spirit of unity through a spectacular display of music, dance and traditional art forms.
Special Viewing Pavilions
Special pavilions have been arranged for different categories of guests and spectators.
A pavilion for foreign tourists and VVIP guests has been arranged near the Central Library, while a VIP pavilion will be located near University College. A separate pavilion for judges has been set up in front of the Public Office.
Authorities have also made arrangements to manage the expected crowd and ensure that the floats and cultural performances remain accessible and enjoyable for the public.
Green Protocol and Grand Finale
This year’s concluding procession will be organised in an environmentally responsible manner with strict adherence to the Green Protocol.
Following the procession, the official closing ceremony of the Onam Week celebrations will be held at the Nishagandhi Auditorium.
The celebrations will conclude with a special musical performance by the popular Agam Band, led by singer Harish Sivaramakrishnan.
With dozens of colourful floats, nearly a hundred art forms and performances representing cultural traditions from across India, the grand procession is set to provide a spectacular finale to Kerala’s Onam Week celebrations in the state capital.
