Petal Palettes: A Teen’s Dance Through Rotary’s Onam Pookolams By Nakshatra Pradeep
As a dancer and artist, I’ve always been drawn to the vibrant colours and intricate designs of pookalams. This year’s Onam celebration at Rotary District 3233 was extra special for me, not only because my father, Rtn. Pradeep, was the Onam Celebrations Chairman, but also because I got to witness some truly amazing pookalams up close!
The pookalam competition was a feast for the eyes. Each design told a unique story, much like the tales I try to convey through my Bharatanatyam performances. The Rotary Club of Aarch City impressed everyone with three distinct themes. Rtn. Easwari’s team created a mesmerizing blend of Kathakali and Theyyam, reminding me of the classical dance forms I admire. Rtn. Buvana’s team ingeniously combined the Rotary wheel with a “magic year” theme, while Rtn. Suganthi Kannan’s team touched hearts with their women empowerment design.
The Rotary Club of Chennai Utsav’s pookalam was a “Nirangalin Utsavam” – a festival of colours that resonated with my love for vibrant expressions. Their intersecting patterns seemed to dance before my eyes!
As an aspiring actress, I was particularly drawn to the Rotary Club of Madras T Nagar’s peacock-themed kolam. The grace and elegance of the national bird reminded me of the poise we aim for in dance and on screen.
The Rotary Club of Nanganallur paid homage to Kerala’s state animal with their elephant-themed pookalam. As someone passionate about community service, I appreciated how this design highlighted the importance of conservation.
Rtn. Giridhar and family from the Rotary Club of Madras Connemara created a stunning floral design that could rival any intricate costume I’ve worn on stage.
Seeing these beautiful creations and the teamwork behind them reminded me of the joy I feel when performing or participating in community service projects. It made me proud to be part of the Rotary family, where creativity and service go hand in hand.
This Onam celebration showed me that whether through dance, art, or service, we all have the power to bring colour and positive change to our communities. I can’t wait to see what amazing pookalams next year’s celebration will bring!
