How Onam bridges generations in Keralam: Elders, millennials and Gen Z share their stories
The festival of Onam serves as a cultural bridge in Kerala, where different generations contribute to the celebration in unique ways. While elders focus on traditional rituals, millennials manage logistics and Gen Z integrates modern social media trends.
Why it matters
This highlights how cultural traditions evolve and maintain relevance across generational divides in modern Indian society.
For 75-year-old Kalyani Amma from Thrissur in Keralam, Onam means far more than being surrounded by grandchildren, family get-togethers and the homecoming of her loved ones each festival season.
“We have also become custodians of tradition, teaching younger family members how to prepare traditional dishes, arrange the feast and observe customs. I do not want our traditions to disappear with our generation. When my grandchildren ask me how a particular dish is made or why we follow a certain custom, I am glad to explain it,” she says.
Across Keralam, Onam has become an evolving cultural bridge between generations. While elders preserve tradition by cooking the full sadya feast from scratch and keeping rituals alive, millennials handle the modern logistics of organising family gatherings, and Gen Z brings fresh energy to the festivities through updated fashion, inclusive values and social media.
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