Bass Coast celebrates Malayalee culture through Onam

Bass Coast’s Malayalee community celebrated Onam at the Wonthaggi Town Hall on Wednesday, August 26, and shared the festivities with the wider community.

The event was hosted by the Bass Coast Malayalee Association (BCMA), and it featured traditional dance performances, music and a communal vegetarian feast.

BCMA secretary Deepa Ipe said Onam was the biggest festival celebrated by the Malayalees, the people of Kerala in southern India.

While the celebration is rooted in Kerala, it’s now marked by Malayalee communities across the world.

“Onam is about togetherness, equality, gratitude, happiness and community spirit,” Ms Ipe said.

The festival is traditionally linked to the story of King Mahabali, whose reign is remembered as a peaceful time, and Onam celebrates his annual return to visit his people.

The celebration included Onasadya, which is a traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf.

Everyone sat together and shared the same meal, an act that carries symbolism of hospitality and equality.

For the BCMA, the event was the perfect chance to share their culture.

“Onam is an opportunity to open our doors and share our culture with the wider Bass Coast community through food, music, dance and traditions,” Ms Ipe said.

The BCMA brings together families from Kerala and other parts of southern India who now call Bass Coast home.

Residents from Kirrak House and Griffiths Point Lodge also joined the festivities, and Ms Ipe said their presence captured the spirit of the occasion by making connections and making sure everyone is included.

Federal Member for Monash Mary Aldred attended as the chief guest, and said the celebration showcased the people helping to make Bass Coast a stronger and more vibrant place.

“All of the people here play a really important role, from small business to volunteering, and I want to honour their contribution,” Ms Aldred said.

She said Bass Coast had a particularly strong Malayalee community.

Liberal Candidate for Bass Rochelle Halstead also attended the event, and said events like Onam allowed residents to embrace and learn about other cultures.

“It’s nice to be able to join in and learn about other cultures and share stories,” Ms Halstead said.

“It’s a great thing to have these sorts of festivals, and they’re so colourful.”

Ms Halstead described the traditional cuisine as “delicious”, and to her relief, said it wasn’t too spicy.

Ms Ipe said BCMA ultimately wanted to preserve its traditions for children and future generations while sharing the richness of Malayalee culture with the broader Australian community.

She said Onam allowed local families to celebrate their origins, as well as the Bass Coast community that they’re now a part of.