ONAM FESTIVAL

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (15:27): On Saturday 18 August I had the great pleasure of attending the annual Malayalee food and cultural festival, Onam, at the Croatian Club in Brompton. This kind invitation was given to me by Mr Sreekumar Kesavan of the Adelaide Metropolitan Malayalee Association. The association is a not-for-profit, registered community and cultural organisation whose 1,200 members have a common origin in Kerala in the south of India. Members are able to exchange views and foster friendship, goodwill and understanding whilst making the most of opportunities for literary, cultural and entertainment activities.

For the Onam festival, the association undertook the huge task of organising an afternoon and evening of stunning cultural entertainment performed by its talented members. Onam is the state festival of Kerala and it is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and zeal throughout the state, irrespective of caste, creed and community. Malayalee communities all over the world come together to celebrate this festival, just as they would have had they never left Kerala.

Legend has it that there once lived a wise and generous asura (demon) king. King Mahabali was highly regarded and when he reigned all his subjects were happy and prosperous. The festival celebrates the king's annual visit from Patala, the underworld. The festival is marked with wonderful celebrations including intricate rituals, feasts, songs, dance, games and fairs. It is also known as the harvest festival of the state and is celebrated at the beginning of the first month of the Malayalam calendar, called Chingam.

On a personal note, my love of Indian dance, culture and tradition can be attributed to my year spent in Penang, Malaysia in 1991 as a Rotary exchange student. Living with several Indian families left me with not only a fascination for the art, history and literature of the culture but also a passion for Bollywood movies and dance. I was not disappointed. The Onam festival was a feast for my senses.

Kummatti Kali is a famous and colourful mask dance that is performed during the Onam festivals. The dance is based on a Shiva myth, and dancers typically wear heavily painted, colourful wooden masks depicting the faces of the Hindu gods Krishna, Narada, Kiratha and Darika. I was told that Onam would not be complete without a performance of Kathakali, a dance drama which involves the harmonious blend of five art forms. Kathakali dance drama can be described as a visual art because performers do not speak but mime. Communication is made effective through the remarkable use of gestures and mudras which are hand gestures, as well as yoga body positions. People of varied tastes all over the world appreciate and admire the beauty of this distinguished art.

Following the extravaganza of cultural festivities, a sumptuous Onasadya was served. Onasadya is a nine course, elaborate vegetarian feast comprising 13 essential dishes. It is consumed without the use of cutlery and is served on a banana leaf. Years ago, Onasadya was even more elaborate with 64 mandatory dishes served, all to be eaten in one sitting. It symbolises the people of Kerala's devotion to and passion for the spirit of their beloved King Mahabali.

Along with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, the City of Salisbury is home to the largest number of newly arrived people to South Australia. Of these, in the last five years, the largest arrival group is from India. In my own electorate of Ramsay, examples of the contribution of new arrivals is vast. Walking in the Salisbury town centre it is exciting for me to see the emergence of Indian supermarkets such as Namkeen Indian Supermarket on John Street, and Best Indian Supermarket on Gawler Street. These small businesses provide the entire community with the opportunity to purchase goods that they are either familiar with or to try something they might have never experienced before.

Being invited to celebrate this event with the Adelaide Metropolitan Malaylee Association was very special. The breathtaking talent, richness of culture and welcoming generosity of these people reminded me how lucky I am to live in South Australia where we have such a multicultural society. Once again, I would like to thank the association for extending to me such a warm and generous welcome.