Thiruvananthapuram, 24 August (H.S.):The Kerala government’s week-long Onam celebrations will begin in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan formally inaugurating the festivities at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Kanakakkunnu at 5.30 p.m.

Actor Kunchacko Boban will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Ministers, Members of Parliament, legislators and prominent personalities from the political, social and cultural fields are also expected to attend the event.

The celebrations, which will continue until August 30, will feature more than 340 cultural programmes across 35 venues in the State capital. Around 3,000 artists, technicians and other cultural workers will participate in the events, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, the principal venue for the festivities, has been divided into four specially designed sections — a Business Zone, Future Zone, Art and Culture Zone and Food Zone. The arrangement is intended to offer visitors a combination of entertainment, cultural experiences, commercial exhibitions, emerging technologies and Kerala’s traditional cuisine.

The government has made extensive arrangements to manage the large crowds expected to visit the venues during the week. Cultural programmes showcasing Kerala’s traditional art forms will be presented alongside contemporary music, dance and entertainment events. Several programmes have also been planned to provide opportunities for artists from different parts of the State.

The festivities will conclude on August 30 with a grand ceremony attended by Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan as the chief guest. The closing day is expected to be marked by major cultural performances and other public events in the capital.

Hundreds of venues have also been prepared across Kerala’s districts as part of the Statewide celebrations. The programmes are aimed at bringing together residents, tourists and artists while highlighting Kerala’s cultural heritage and the spirit of Onam. Security, traffic control and visitor assistance arrangements will remain in force throughout the festival period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman