Skip to content

Shine Magazine

a different lifestyle

Connect with Us

Social menu is not set. You need to create menu and assign it to Social Menu on Menu Settings.

Primary Menu
  • General
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Travel
  • Fashion
    • Apparel
    • Beauty
    • Jewerly
    • Watchmaking
  • Beauty
  • Health and Wellness
    • Health
    • Fitness
      • Cardio workouts
      • Fitness challenges
      • Strength training
      • Workout routines
      • Yoga and pilates
      • Mental health awareness
      • Stress management
    • Sports
  • Culture
  • Home decoration
  • World
  • Stories
  • Technology
    • Science
    • Mecanic
  • News

Egyptian Becomes Keralite ‘Mythical King Maveli’ as Indian Expats Begin Onam Early in the UAE

Asher Ives September 5, 2024 3 min read
Egyptian man as King Maveli with Indian expats

In a heartwarming display of cultural unity, an Egyptian man embraced the role of the Keralite mythical king Maveli as Indian expatriates in the UAE kicked off their Onam celebrations ahead of schedule. The event saw participation from people of over 20 nationalities, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.

Key Takeaways

  • Egyptian man Nawar dressed as King Maveli for the first time.
  • Onam is a harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis, marking the return of Maveli.
  • Celebrations in the UAE began early, involving various nationalities.
  • Events included traditional activities, dances, and a lavish feast.
  • The festival promotes unity and tolerance among multicultural communities.

What is Onam?

Onam is a harvest festival linked to Hindu mythology, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which falls in August or September. Malayalis, the people of Kerala, celebrate the return of the mythical king Maveli from the netherworld to visit his subjects. The festivities last for 10 days, culminating on Thiruvonam Day, the most important day.

This year, Onam begins on September 6 and Thiruvonam falls on September 15. However, the vibrant Malayali community in the UAE has already started their celebrations, hosting massive events over several days.

Early Celebrations in the UAE

Companies, community groups, and schools in the UAE have begun celebrating Onam with great enthusiasm. These events are attended by people of various nationalities, highlighting the festival’s theme of unity and camaraderie among the multicultural residents of the UAE.

Nawar, an Egyptian man, dressed up as King Maveli for the first time in his life. “I definitely enjoyed being king,” he said, adding that the attire showcased the rich culture of Kerala. The day-long festivities organized by Nawar’s company saw enthusiastic participation from the entire non-Indian staff, who donned traditional Kerala sarees and mundus.

Cultural Activities and Highlights

The celebrations included traditional Onam activities such as:

  • Vadam Vali: Tug of war
  • Thiruvathirakkali: A traditional dance performed by women in a circle

Dr. Sathya Menon, the group’s CEO, expressed his joy at seeing the essence of Kerala’s experiences beautifully recreated in the UAE. Abdul Azeez, the chairman of the group, praised the dedication and spirit of the team that brought everyone closer together as a family.

Kerala Chartered Accountants’ Celebration

Around 200 people participated in an early celebration organized by the Kerala Chartered Accountants (KCA) in the UAE on August 31. The event began with tributes to the victims of the Wayanad landslides, which claimed more than 400 lives.

The KCA celebration featured:

  • Onasadhya: A lavish vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf
  • Pookkalam: Traditional floral decoration made on the ground
  • A series of cultural competitions

Onam in Schools

GEMS Our Own Indian School (OIS) also started their Onam celebrations early. Principal Lalitha Suresh mentioned that students wore ethnic Kerala outfits and performed traditional songs and dances. The school has planned special Onam assemblies and a Fabulous Friday dress code themed after Onam.

Suresh emphasized the importance of encouraging children to develop tolerance and social skills by embracing and celebrating different cultures and festivals.

Upcoming Celebrations

Various community groups have announced plans to celebrate Onam in all its grandeur in the coming weeks. Restaurants run by Keralites are preparing to serve Onasadhya on Thiruvonam, while supermarkets and garment shops catering to the Malayali community are bustling with Onam shopping.

Sources

  • Egyptian becomes Keralite ‘mythical king Maveli’ as Indian expats begin Onam early in the UAE | People – Gulf News, Gulf News.

Continue Reading

Previous: Must-Read Books That Defined the Literary Landscape in 2023
Next: Boost Your Mental Health: The Incredible Benefits of Regular Physical Activity

Related Stories

1 min read
  • Health and Wellness
  • News

SEO Optimization Strategies for WordPress News Sites

MyShine July 25, 2025
1 min read
  • Art
  • News

Yuzvendra Chahal: Dating Rumors and Engagement Teases on Kapil Sharma’s Show

MyShine July 25, 2025
1 min read
  • News
  • Technology

Tips to Boost Your Website’s SEO Ranking

MyShine July 25, 2025

Trending News

The Best Time to Walk: Empty Stomach vs. After Meal cover-image-105378 1
  • Cardio workouts
  • Wellness

The Best Time to Walk: Empty Stomach vs. After Meal

July 25, 2025
The Impact of Technology in Modern Society 2
  • Business
  • Technology

The Impact of Technology in Modern Society

July 25, 2025
The Latest News in SEO: Strategies for Optimization 3
  • Technology

The Latest News in SEO: Strategies for Optimization

July 25, 2025
SEO Strategies for Optimizing Content on WordPress News Sites 4
  • Art
  • Exhibition

SEO Strategies for Optimizing Content on WordPress News Sites

July 25, 2025
The Latest Trends in Digital Marketing Strategies 5
  • Home decoration
  • Technology

The Latest Trends in Digital Marketing Strategies

July 25, 2025
popular tags
  • 2025 technology trends
  • fintech innovations
  • 2025 wellness
  • Emerging Trends
  • Cosmic Creativity
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

You may have missed

cover-image-105378
2 min read
  • Cardio workouts
  • Wellness

The Best Time to Walk: Empty Stomach vs. After Meal

MyShine July 25, 2025
1 min read
  • Business
  • Technology

The Impact of Technology in Modern Society

MyShine July 25, 2025
1 min read
  • Technology

The Latest News in SEO: Strategies for Optimization

MyShine July 25, 2025
1 min read
  • Art
  • Exhibition

SEO Strategies for Optimizing Content on WordPress News Sites

MyShine July 25, 2025

Recent Posts

  • The Best Time to Walk: Empty Stomach vs. After Meal
  • The Impact of Technology in Modern Society
  • The Latest News in SEO: Strategies for Optimization
  • SEO Strategies for Optimizing Content on WordPress News Sites
  • The Latest Trends in Digital Marketing Strategies

Tags

30-day push-up challenge 2025 advancements 2025 crypto outlook 2025 education trends 2025 finance 2025 health 2025 innovations 2025 Sustainability 2025 technology trends 2025 travel 2025 wellness art galleries automotive lifestyle beauty inspirations beginner fitness Beyond Stars Bitcoin Bitcoin future Blockchain Insights Celestial Boundaries cognitive science Constellations Cosmic Creativity cryptocurrency diversity in Europe Emerging Trends fintech innovations future of space exploration Galaxies gastronomy human imagination Imagination Imagining the Universe Infinite Universe innovations in space mindfulness Night Sky Pilates space exploration stargazing storytelling strength training WordPress workout routines Yoga
Copyright © All rights reserved. | MoreNews by AF themes.