The Prince Albert Malayali Association marked its first anniversary on Saturday with a day-long Onam celebration that brought together more than 200 people at Carlton Community Hall for food, dance, and cultural traditions from Kerala.
The event began with the ceremonial lamp lighting at 11:30 a.m., led by Mayor Bill Powalinsky, who attended with his wife and grandchild.
“I am deeply honoured and moved to stand before you as the Mayor of Prince Albert, but more importantly as an individual,” Powalinsky said. “I want to thank you for the vibrancy, the passion, the enthusiasm, and the love that I feel in this room.”
Guests arrived in traditional Kerala clothing, filling the hall with vibrant colours. The program included multiple dance performances, including the Thiruvathira group dance, cinematic numbers, and live music.
Women dressed in traditional Kerala attire take part in the Onam festivities, adding colour and authenticity to the annual celebration
At the centre of the hall, a vibrant Pookalam, a traditional design made with different coloured flowers arranged in intricate patterns, became the focal point of the celebration, serving as a backdrop for stage performances and photos with guests.
For the Malayali community, Onam is the biggest cultural festival of the year, rooted in the legend of King Mahabali’s return to visit his people, It was also a milestone moment for the association, which has grown rapidly since forming last year.
King Mahabali, the legendary figure at the heart of Onam, makes an appearance at the Prince Albert Malayali Association’s first anniversary celebration.
“Onam brings everyone together. It makes us feel at home again and lets us share our traditions with the wider community,” said Aravind Vijay, General secretary of the association. “This year is special because it is our first anniversary, and for the first time, the Mayor inaugurated our celebration. We are proud to show Prince Albert our culture, our food, and our unity.”
Lunch featured the grand Onasadhya, a vegetarian feast served on banana leaves with nearly 20 dishes, including sambar, aviyal, erissery, pineapple pachadi, banana chips, and sweet payasams. Afterward, children and families joined in games, and the celebration spilled outside for a lively tug of war.
Attendees take part in a lively tug of war outside Carlton Community Hall to cap off the Onam festivities.
Adding to the occasion was the presence of Malayalam film producer Sajai Sebastion, who has worked on multicultural projects filmed in Alberta. He said cinema and Onam share deep roots in storytelling and myth.
“Malayalam cinema tells the life stories of our people, often linked with myths like King Mahabali, which are also at the heart of Onam,” Sebastian said. “Seeing this community here in Prince Albert grow from just a few dozen to more than 230 people is a privilege. The energy and support here are incredible.”
Participants, performers, and guests gather for a group photo during the Prince Albert Malayali Association’s Onam celebration, marking the association’s first anniversary
The day ended on a high note with prize giveaways and a DJ night, leaving participants with memories of a celebration that blended nostalgia with the pride of belonging in a new home.
“Nobody leaves without a smile,” said Vijay.
