Sruthi Hariharan appreciates the joy of Onam, which involves celebrating and feasting with loved ones.
Living in a nuclear Malayali family in Bengaluru, actor Sruthi Hariharan does everything she can to keep their traditions alive, even if it means celebrating with just her husband, Raam Kumar, and dau...
1
views

Living in a nuclear family of Malayali descent in Bengaluru, actor Sruthi Hariharan is dedicated to preserving her cultural traditions. She cherishes celebrating events like Onam with her husband, Raam Kumar, and daughter Janki. She recalls fond memories of attending yearly Onam celebrations at the East Cultural Association in Bengaluru during her childhood. Sruthi particularly enjoys the traditional Onam feast, known as sadhya, with dishes like payasam, aviyal, and sharkara upperi. She appreciates the sustainability aspect of aviyal, a dish made with leftover vegetables. Since marrying Raam, Sruthi's Onam celebrations have grown, including creating a flower rangoli (pookalam), sharing a sadhya meal, and visiting a temple. They also make an effort to pass on their cultural values to their daughter, Janki, who eagerly participates in the festivities. Despite being a small urban family, they strive to uphold and celebrate their Malayali heritage.Sruthi emphasizes the importance of keeping their daughter connected to their traditions and culture, stating that it is key for Janki to observe and participate in their customs. However, she believes that it will ultimately be Janki's choice whether or not she chooses to continue these traditions in the future. The main objective is to introduce their daughter to the experiences that her parents have cherished. Despite living away from Kerala, Sruthi feels strongly about Janki maintaining their cultural roots. She stresses that while it is important for Janki to be involved in their traditions, the decision to uphold them will be left to her. The primary intention is to offer her a glimpse of the upbringing her parents have had. When asked about her love for cooking a traditional meal called sadhya at home, Sruthi explains that it is a simple act that revolves around preparing food for loved ones and enjoying a heartfelt and special meal together on a significant occasion, such as during the festive season. She believes that this essence truly encapsulates the spirit of Onam, emphasizing that the true celebration lies in sharing the moment with family and friends.