Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of people lined both sides of the Kowdiar–East Fort main road on Sunday to watch a colourful parade of floats, folk and classical art forms, martial arts and dance, marking the culmination of the Onam Tourism Week celebrations.The parade came alive with Keralam’s traditional art forms and cultural performances from across India. Presentations from Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Telangana and Maharashtra, alongside performances by local folk groups, captivated audiences, including women and children.Skating demonstrations, Pulikali, Garudan Parava, Muthappan Theyyam, Kalaripayattu displays, chenda melam, band performances and a mounted military march added to the spectacle.The procession featured 69 floats from various govt departments and institutions, along with 99 art forms. The floats showcased themes ranging from Kerala’s heritage and culture to development, women’s empowerment, healthcare and scientific advancement.The forest department’s tableau won first place in the state departments category for its theme, ‘Survival Through Coexistence’. It depicted humans and endangered wild animals finding refuge in the last remaining patch of greenery, symbolised by a fresh sprout emerging from a tree stump left behind by urbanisation and deforestation. Set against a forest backdrop of creepers, plants and the Shararanthal flower of the Western Ghats, the tableau highlighted harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife.The KSRTC float showcased its free-ticket scheme for women, while the dairy development department highlighted the importance of quality. The department of factories and boilers presented the ‘Model Safe Workplace’ initiative, while the MVD displayed a baling machine and an automated testing system. The museum and zoo float, featuring lions and other wild animals, was a major attraction.Vice-president C P Radhakrishnan flagged off the parade at 5pm near Lok Bhavan in the presence of CM V D Satheesan, governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and speaker Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan.Ministers P C Vishnunath and T Siddique, MLA Chandy Oommen, actor Asif Ali, public representatives, officials and foreign tourists watched the procession from the VVIP pavilion near the public library.
