Indian festival night of enchantment

Traditional dancers wooing the crowd at the celebrations.

Kiwis joined Whangarei's south Indian Malayalee community on the dance floor during the annual Onam festival at Forum North on Saturday evening.

Deputy mayor Sharon Morgan and Onam festival convener Shaji Cherian begin the Onam programme with lighting of a traditional Malayalee lamp at Forum North.

More than 300 people, including deputy mayor of Whangarei Sharon Morgan, who was the leading guest, turned up for the harvest festival and enjoyed a variety of dance events, food, and indoor games. The vibrant and colourful festival is honoured at a state level in India.

Ronel Shaji (left), Austin Soni, Rose Shaji, and Shweta Suresh prepare for their on-stage performance.

Northern Advocate reporter Imran Ali was invited to the celebrations and took these photos.

Sheeja Unnikrishnan helps put diya or oil lamps around a traditional carpet floor.