Over 3,000 artistes to take part in Onam pageantry

: A mega cultural pageantry, showcasing the cultural and artistic diversity of the country, will mark the end of Kerala's week-long Onam festivities here on September 9.
Over 3,000 artistes and around 100 thematic floats and divergent art forms of various states besides Kerala would find place in the procession, which would pass through the heart of the city on that day.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would flag off the pageantry, organised by the state Tourism Department, at Vellayambalam, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran told reporters here today.
Over 180 artistes from other states including Assam, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Telangana, Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Naduwould display traditional art forms of their respective states, he said.

Showcasing of'chenda melam' (percussion), an inevitable part of cultural festivals in the state, classical and folk ensembles such as pancharimelam, panchavadyam, nadaswaram-thavil, maddalam, udukku, kummattikottu, kompu and the kuzhal pipe are expected to attract spectators.
Traditional art forms like Theyyam, Kathakali, Bommakali, Velakali, Padayani, Ammankoda, Pulikali, Pookkavadi, Ammankoda and so on would also find place in the procession.

Various government departments would showcase their achievements ranging from the southern state's heritage, cinema, literature, women empowerment and security and so on through thematic floats.
The Tourism Department would spend a total of Rs 34 lakh for the event, the minister said.

Elaborate security arrangements would be in place in and around the city for the smooth conduct of the procession, he said adding over 1,200 police personnel would be deployed.