Living in Bengaluru with her nuclear Malayali family, actress Sruthi Hariharan is dedicated to preserving their traditions. Even amidst a modest celebration with her husband, Raam Kumar, and daughter, Janki, Sruthi cherishes the memories of Onam festivities from her childhood at the East Cultural Association. The actress, a fan of the traditional Onam sadhya, especially enjoys dishes like payasam, aviyal, and sharkara upperi. Emphasizing sustainability, Sruthi admires aviyal for its inventive use of leftover vegetables. Since marrying Raam, Sruthi has embraced a richer Onam celebration, including the essential pookalam ritual, a shared sadhya meal, and temple visits. Additionally, the couple is intentional about passing down their cultural heritage to their daughter, Janki, who eagerly participates in the festivities, aiding in creating pookalam designs and learning elements of Kaikottikali. Despite the challenges of being a nuclear family in an urban environment, Sruthi and her family remain connected to their Malayali roots."We place a strong emphasis on our traditions, so Raam and I make a concerted effort to ensure that our daughter remains connected to our cultural heritage," says Sruthi. "It is crucial to us that Janki observes and participates in our traditions, although ultimately it will be her choice whether to continue them. Our aim is to provide her with a glimpse of the customs her parents have cherished from their own upbringing."
Given Janki's distance from Kerala, Sruthi emphasizes the importance of her daughter staying rooted in their cultural heritage. "I believe it's essential for her to witness and engage in our traditions, but it will be her decision whether to adopt and uphold them in the future. Our objective is to introduce her to the traditions her parents have cherished from their own childhood," Sruthi explains.
When asked about her love for preparing a traditional sadhya at home, Sruthi simply states, "It's about creating a meal for your loved ones and enjoying a special, intimate gathering on a significant day. This, to me, epitomizes the true spirit of Onam - celebrating with loved ones by your side."
