A city church has strengthened an international link with a celebration involving 200 people with ties to the south of India now living in Bath.

St Philip's and St James's Church at Odd Down was packed as members of the Bath Malayali community marked the feast of Onam.

The group served a traditional meal, and then put on a programme of song and dance from their home of the state of Kerala to celebrate the festival of harvest.

Malayali people originate from the state and will often speak the Malayalam language.


President of the Bath Malayali Community (BMC), Devriri Sahadevan, said they continued to celebrate the traditional festival for the benefit of their children.

He said: "Onam is our harvest festival in Kerala and we celebrate it in the UK because it is important for our children who have grown up here to participate in and understand our own culture and traditions from their homeland.

"Onam is a great celebration for us when we wear new clothes, sing the songs from Kerala and eat vegetable food."

He added: "This is the first time we have found a church in Bath where we can hold this celebration.

"We are very happy about the link with St Philip's and we look forward to more in the future."

Rector the Rev Alan Bain said the church had had links with the south of India for several years.

"We are delighted to make contact with BMC here in our own city of Bath.

"Having travelled to India many times we have a great respect for the south Indian culture, its colour, life and food, and we feel it's important to help the community here feel at home and welcome in our city.

"It's been a day full of fun and laughter and one which has created greater understanding."

To find out more about the BMC, visit www.bathmalayali.co.uk.

From BATH ONAM 2010

BATH ONAM 2010