This Kerala Village Has Celebrated Onam With Christmas-Style Carols for 40 Years

As the evening light fades over a Kerala village, a familiar festive scene unfolds. People step out of their homes, children gather around, and the sound of singing and drums fills the streets. But there is an unexpected figure at the centre of this celebration — Mahabali, the beloved king of Onam, leading a cheerful group from one home to another. It may look a little like Christmas carolling, but there is no Santa here. This is Onam celebrated in a rather unique way in Valayanchirangara, a village near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district. Festivals have a way of bringing people together, of...