Onam Festivities Bring Joy and Rising Costs to Pune’s Malayali Community

The vibrant spirit of Onam is filling stores across Pune as the city’s Malayali community prepares for the festival on August 25, 2023. Local shops are bustling with customers eager to purchase traditional items such as kasavu sarees, mundus, spices, and fresh produce sourced directly from Kerala. While the festive atmosphere is palpable, many shoppers are also expressing concerns about rising prices for essential ingredients needed for the Onam feast.

In areas like Rasta Peth, NIBM, and Kalewadi, shoppers flood the aisles as soon as stores open. According to Raji George, owner of South Staar Kerala Store and Café in NIBM, the cost of coconut oil has surged, with prices rising from ₹250–300 per litre last year to between ₹550–590 this year. Coconut, a key ingredient in many Onam dishes, is also seeing a price increase. Despite these financial pressures, George notes that the demand for festive items remains strong. “People will celebrate,” he said. “This is a big and important festival for the Malayali community, even if it is pinching pockets.”

The Pune Malayalee Federation is also getting involved in the festivities. John Thekkinkad, the federation’s general secretary, announced plans for a celebration at Pune Railway Station, where members will create a pookalam and distribute homemade payasam to the public. The initiative aims to share the joy of Onam with the wider community. The number of pravasi Malayalees in Pune has reportedly increased by 10–20% since last year, further enriching the festival’s spirit.

In Kalewadi, Jiji Mathew, owner of Kairali Bazar, echoed the sentiment regarding rising prices. “Just last week, the price of snake gourd was ₹40 per kg, and this week it has shot up to ₹200 per kg,” he said. Even with soaring costs, Mathew noted that the desire to prepare a traditional sadya remains strong, particularly among North Indians and Maharashtrians, who are increasingly interested in the feast. “Out of over 6,000 orders for sadya, most have come from them,” he explained. To accommodate rising costs, Kairali Bazar has raised its sadya prices by ₹100, which now includes 24 items plus condiments.

For many families, the celebration of Onam transcends mere economics. Sneha Nair, a resident of Fatimanagar, shared her excitement: “All our cousins are coming home this year. We’ve ordered banana leaves and will be cooking together from morning to serve a grand sadya on the floor, as is tradition.” This annual gathering offers families a unique opportunity to connect without the distractions of modern technology.

Shopping for traditional attire is a cherished part of the celebration. Pratibha TN, a resident of Rasta Peth, remarked, “We prefer to buy mundu and sarees in the stores instead of ordering online.” She emphasized the emotional connection that comes with shopping in person, particularly for her mother, who views it as an essential part of the festival.

The sense of community and togetherness draws people back to the crowded stores, despite the increased prices. Rohit Nambiar, a resident of Aundh, expressed this sentiment well, stating, “We’ve bought kasavu sarees, banana chips, payasam mixes, and fresh vegetables. Relatives from Mumbai are coming over, and the children are waiting to make pookalam. Onam is when our home feels like we are in Kerala again.”

As the celebration approaches, the dual themes of joy and economic challenge resonate throughout Pune’s Malayali community, underscoring the festival’s significance as a time for togetherness and tradition, even in the face of rising costs.