As Onam brings Kerala’s harvest festival to life, Kolkata’s Malayali community is celebrating with food, traditions and festive rituals. From elaborate Sadya spreads and steaming bowls of payasam to pookalams, festive shopping and the unmistakable crunch of Kerala snacks, the city offers plenty of ways to experience the spirit of Onam. So here’s a guide to bring a slice to Kerala to your home and celebrating the festival.
“The preparation and sharing of payasam are closely associated with the festive spirit of Onam, a celebration of prosperity, abundance and togetherness,” said Avantika Thomas, adding, “Two varieties are particularly popular during Onam — rice payasam and dal payasam. Banana chips remain a particular favourite, while murukku – the crunchy, spiral-shaped rice-flour snack – is another festive staple,” says Sanjay of Dakshin store. Rice payasam is made with rice cooked in milk and sweetened with sugar. Depending on the recipe, it may be flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts and raisins. Dal payasam, on the other hand, usually uses moong dal, along with jaggery and coconut milk. The jaggery lends it a deep caramel-like sweetness, while coconut milk gives it a distinctive richness and aroma. For a taste of Kerala at home, Lake Market and parts of Kankurgachi are Kolkata’s go-to spots for Onam shopping. Around Lake Market, shops such as Dakshin Stores and the cluster of snack shops around the market stock south Indian staples and festive munchies. In fact, Bajrang Bali Bhuja Shop and Shankar Bhandar in Lake Market are known for their range of murukku, chanachur, bhujia, sev and chips, including masala-coated banana chips. “For Onam crispies, shoppers can look out for banana chips, jackfruit chips, sharkara varatti (jaggery-coated banana chips), achappam, kuzhalappam, cheeda, tapioca chips and spicy mixtures. The best Sadya stops > South Indian Restaurant,
