The pandemic has changed the way people celebrate festivals, especially in India where food and festivities aren’t limited to family but often extend to friends, neighbours and even distant relatives. Many Mumbaikars from the Muslim community recently spent Eid al-Adha with their immediate family, and it is not going to be any different for Keralites, who will be celebrating Onam on August 21. The city’s Malayalis, whose origins lie in the southern state of Kerala, will be making the most of the harvest festival with intimate gatherings rather than meeting in large groups. 

City-based publicist Megha Nambootiri, who has been missing the experience of dining outside, is happy that the restaurants in the city are now open. She explains, “Since the restaurants are now open, we might go to 'Taste of Malabar’ in Fort and have a sadya with the family. Last year we celebrated at home, I had prepared sadya and invited my parents over in a very intimate setting.”