Sparks of Kerala, a delightful performance by an international entertainment show with popular artists from the Kerala film world, was the major attraction at the annual Onam celebration organized by the Malayalee Association of Southern Connecticut (MASCONN) at Shelton High School on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Attended by nearly 500 people, the long-awaited Onam celebrations brought together the fast-growing community of people of Kerala origin from across the state of Connecticut to celebrate their culture, traditions, and fellowship with an unforgettable celebration of Onam with live performances, music, and rhythm by local artists and the star-studded performances by popular artists from the Mollywood world.
Men, women, children, and youth dressed in traditional attire, from across the state of Connecticut, came together to celebrate their culture, traditions, and fellowship during the annual Onam celebrations, which was a testament to their commitment to the traditions and the culture of Kerala, living thousands of miles away from their homeland.
The day-long Onam celebrations began with the lighting of the traditional Nilvilakku or the lamp by honored guests of MASCONN and the executive committee members of MASCONN, including Sreejith Mambarambath, President of MASCONN, who shared with the audience about the many initiatives by MASCONN benefitting the larger Indian American community in the United States.
A colorful Pookoalm and the traditional lamp with a sandalwood tilak on forehead at the entrance of the school, welcomed the participants with a warm traditional Indian welcome. Legendary King Mahabali was given a traditional welcome as he mingled with the participants, showering his blessings. The legendary King Mahbali was welcomed onto the state in a procession led by children and women, who set the stage for the Onam celebrations with their beautiful performance of Thiruvathirakali.
The day-long Onam celebrations began with the lighting of the traditional Nilvilakku or the lamp by honored guests of MASCONN and the executive committee members of MASCONN, including Sreejith Mambarambath, President of MASCONN, who shared with the audience about the many initiatives by MASCONN benefitting the larger Indian American community in the United States.
The whole ambience was filled with nostalgia since it was an occasion for all the Malayalees in Connecticut to cherish their childhood memories, especially as everyone enjoyed the sumptuous Onam Sadhya (meal), the most important and main attraction of the day, with different traditional dishes and payasams that were served on banana leaves.
A popular Bollywood actor, Akila Ananando, mesmerized the audience with her lively dance and music. Mokkisha, the popular and talented artist of Malayalam film world gave some melodious movie songs that filled the hearts and souls of the participants. Afsal didn’t fail the attendees with his beautiful and heartening renditions of Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi songs.
Siddhique Roshan entertained the audience with his mimicry and attractive renditions and remaking of popular Indian movie stars and politicians. Veda Mithra captured the hearts of the attendees with her musical performance, particularly her violin recitals, showcasing the Indian
Arts. Others who were part of this talent show included Suhail Kuku, who performed a high performance dance with the local artists, including the rising stars from Connecticut, Vipin Kumar, Jojo Matthew, and Nazeer Minnale.
“MASCONN, an offshoot of the natural growth of the Indian-American, especially Malayalee Community in the southern Connecticut region,” said Sreejith Mambarambath, President of MASCON, in his welcome address. “Onam awaits one very special visitor, Kerala’s most loved legendary King Maveli. He is the King who once gave the people a golden era in Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honor of King Mahabali, affectionately called Onathappan, that Onam is celebrated,” the emcees at the event explained.
In his Onam message, Mahabali told the audience that the “beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organized on the day,” he added.
Participants were dressed in their traditional attire. The most traditional costume for the men of Kerala is the “Mundu” which is mostly white in color. It is worn tightly at the waist with a knot and comes down till the feet. Women following Hinduism wear a blouse and mundu known as “Mundu neriyathu.” Children were seen elegantly in mundus, shirts, sarees and salwar.
Living in countries that are far away from their homeland, in the midst of different cultures, busy with the day-to-day mundane work and home tasks, the Non Resident Indian (NRI) community made this “land of opportunities” their home, have brought with them these cultural traditions and have sought to pass them on to their children, who are often born and raised here.
Onam is a festival celebrated in the south-western state of Kerala, India. Keralites or the Malayalees, the illustrious people of the beautiful state are known around the world for their hard work and spirit of adventure, celebrate the festival of Onam wherever they are.
In the words of past President, Giby Gregory, “Congratulations to Sreejith, Executive team and the Board of Directors for delivering an amazing Onam Experience. Great Job Cultural team, Event coordinators, Finance and Food Teams. Thank you Sponsors for supporting Masconn. It was an excellent event overall. Greatly appreciate all the hardworking Sreejith and team put in to make MASCONN Onam a huge success.”
Ajith Puthiyavattle, another Past president echoed similar sentiments: “Congratulations to Sreejith, Rashmi, the executive board, and the Board of Directors for successfully delivering an outstanding three-part 2025 Grand Onam celebration!! A special shoutout to all the dancers for their tireless dedication and for putting on performances that were nothing short of professional. It truly takes a village to bring an event of this scale to life, and each of you should be proud of the role you played in making it such a resounding success. Well done, everyone!!”
Wilson Potackal, a past president of MACONN, summarized it all: “Sreejit and the BoD team, I would like to sincerely thank you all and the MASCON team for organizing such a memorable celebration and bringing the talented stage show team. It was a truly joyful and cultural experience that brought our community together in Celebration. Also special thanks to give our girls and talented MACONN members a chance to perform with the stars. Kudos to all!!!”
Living in countries that are far away from their homeland, in the midst of different cultures, busy with the day-to-day mundane work and home tasks, the Non Resident Indian (NRI) community made this “land of opportunities” their home, have brought with them these cultural traditions and have sought to pass them on to their children, who are often born and raised here.
Onam is a festival celebrated in the south-western Indian state of Kerala, India. The Keralites or the Malayalees, the illustrious people of the beautiful state, are known around the world, celebrate the festival of Onam wherever they are. The celebration of Onam festival provides them with a perfect opportunity to encourage the new generation of children of Indian origin to witness, learn, and appreciate these rich traditions, even while it offers the first-generation NRIs to stay connected and cherish the rich cultural heritage they hold so dear to them.
The Onam celebrations at MASCONN was a testament to the fraternity of love, communal harmony and universality that came alive in the setting of cultural extravaganza led by popular artists from the Malayali film world who are on a world tour at the banner Spark of Kerala, representing popular artists of the Kerala film world, who enlivened the Onam celebrations with their enchanting performances that filled the hearts and souls of every participant at the auditorium
MASCONN(Malayalee Association Of Southern Connecticut) is a non-political, non-religious forum to strengthen Malayalee culture and tradition and to give special emphasis to the development of the new generation of expatriate Malayalees.
