Onam, one of Kerala's premier harvest festivals, is deeply woven into the state's fabric. Over the years, it has become a lot more modernised, while also staying true to its roots.
Over the years, technology has added a new sparkle to the evergreen Onam sights of floral arrangements, pulse-pounding boat races, and luscious sadhyas.
Here are 5 ways the festivities are powering up Onam this year:
AI-inspired pookalams
Floral arrangement (pookalam) competitions are now seeing entries with designs generated by AI tools. Unlike before, AI tools do actually suggest good colour schemes and patterns for picture-perfect pookalams.
Drone-captured boat races
Kerala's famously intense snake boat races (vallamkali) are increasingly being shot with camera drones these days. These amplify the thrill of watching racers' oars slice through the waters as they charge ahead. Red Bull even blended this with their unique 'Vallam Vali' event earlier this month: they used drones to capture pairs of boats fighting in a tug-of-war (vadamvali)—but on water.
Indie Onam games
Indie game developers like OneWiibe have developed games like 'ScreamXtreme: Wake Up Mahabali' and a digital boat race game to bring adults and children together this Onam.
While the first game is about screaming your heart out to wake up a sleeping Mahabali, the second lets you and your friends sit in a virtual snake boat and row your way to victory.
AR Onam filters
Onam-inspired Augmented Reality (AR) filters on Instagram and Snapchat—banana leaves, tiger dance (pulikali) motifs, and traditional attire—became popular in 2020. Ever since, many old and newer filters go viral at around Onam.
Live-streamed community events
For many who are unable to celebrate Onam in Kerala—especially those living abroad—thiruvathira dances, temple performances, Onam events, games, and even feasts are often live-streamed on YouTube and Instagram, enhancing the festival's community impact.