How Sreeja Ratheesh combines her rich cultural traditions with her life in Australia

OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE STORIES

Onam festival is a remarkable display of vibrant colours and cultural joy that incorporates a beautiful spirit of unity and togetherness.

For Business Analyst Sreeja Ratheesh, Onam is more than just a festival; it's a conduit that connects her to her cultural roots, even from her new life in Australia.

About Sreeja Ratheesh

Sreeja Ratheesh is a hard-working Business Analyst in Business Process Improvement, working within our National IT division. Originating from the southern Indian state of Kerala, Sreeja moved to Australia four years ago, along with her two spirited boys, aged 11 and 6.

Onam: A vibrant festival from the heart of Kerala

Nestled on the southern coast of India, Kerala is a small state with a big festival. Celebrated over ten days, Onam is a symphony of prayers, dance forms, mesmerising floral displays, and a sumptuous feast, all in honour of the return of the legendary King Mahabali. 

During this joyous occasion, we decorate our homes with floral patterns, enjoy a grand feast called "Onam Sadhya" served on banana leaves, and perform traditional dance forms like Thiruvathira.”

Onam is a symbol of unity and inclusivity, as people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate and cherish the spirit of togetherness. People celebrate from morning to night, embracing diversity and togetherness.

As a harvest festival, Onam usually falls in August or September. This year, the culmination of this celebration, the Onam Sadhya feast, is scheduled for August 29. 

Onam in Australia: Embracing Togetherness Abroad

For Sreeja and the tight-nit Keralan-expat community she has found in Australia, Onam is more than a mere memory of home. Onam is a living tradition, keeping the spirit and story of Onam alive for future generations. Their festivities mirror those of their homeland, complete with community events, traditional dances, theatrical performances, and a grand feast. 

Even in Australia, Onam's essence remains unaltered. Intricate floral patterns grace front yards, symbolising a warm welcome to the legendary King Mahabali. Families collaborate to craft the lavish "Onam Sadhya" feast, a culinary masterpiece boasting around 15 delectable dishes, all served on banana leaves. The sight of women draped in graceful white saris adorned with golden borders adds to the festival's allure.

We make sure to celebrate Onam in Australia with the same excitement as we did in India. The whole month of Onam, our community come together on weekends, performing our traditional dance forms, making dishes to share and participating in dramas. Adults and kids both look forward to it, we can’t wait.” 

This vibrant camaraderie and shared enthusiasm serve as a reminder to her children of their cultural heritage.

Passing the Torch: Nurturing Cultural Heritage

Through Onam, Sreeja actively imparts her cultural legacy to her children. Tales, songs, dances, and cuisine form the threads that weave their understanding of their roots, fostering a sense of identity and pride. It helps her keep that connection of family alive, and she shares stories with her sons of how they would celebrate in Kerala.

The first thing we do is call my parents back in India. My sons have never celebrated Onam in Kerala, but they know all the stories. We go to all of the celebrations, and I make sure they eat all of the food so that I can explain all of the dishes and the stories behind them. They do enjoy it.”

Among Sreeja’s treasured memories is an Onam spent with her grandparents. Their anecdotes and customs painted a vivid portrait of bygone celebrations. The joy of receiving new Onam outfits from her grandparents stays etched in her heart—a tangible connection to her ancestral legacy. Sreeja recreates that moment for her own boys by buying them traditional outfits from India, which they show off to their grandparents when they call to pay their respects to their elders.

Inspiring unity: The story of King Mahabali

Sreeja passionately dismantles a common misconception surrounding Onam being solely a Hindu festival. She stresses that Onam transcends religious boundaries, uniting people from diverse backgrounds—Christians and Muslims included—in a celebration of inclusivity.

In the spirit of that unity, Sreeja shares the story of King Mahabali, the mythical figure behind this beautiful festival. 

“King Mahabali was a very kind and generous king from ancient times who cared deeply for his people. Everyone loved King Mahabali, as he treated everyone equally. Under his rule, everyone was equal – there was no poor and no rich."

Mahabali was so beloved by his people that it drew the attention of the heavens. One of the gods, Vishnu, turned himself into a human and visited the kingdom to see for himself why Mahabali was so popular. 

The disguised Vishnu approached King Mahabali and asked for three steps of land. Mahabali agreed, but this was a trick – Vishnu returned to his true form with colossal feet that could encompass all of the heavens in one step and all of the earth with his second step. Vishnu asked Mahabali where he could possibly take his promised third step – to which the king offered his own head for the god to step on. 

Vishnu was so touched by this gesture that he granted Mahabali a boon – he would take Mahabali to heaven but allow him to return to his homeland once every year. Onam festival celebrates the day of Mahabali’s return to earth. People decorate and perform in his honour, making the gigantic feast in the belief or hope that Mahabali will visit their home and they must host him.

Values Aligned: Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

Beyond its festivities, Sreeja sees Onam as a harbinger of unity in diversity, where people unite to revel in the joy of togetherness, regardless of their differences.

Sreeja emphasises how embracing cultural diversity in the workplace aligns with RSM’s core values of integrity in everything, supporting clients everywhere and developing and valuing everyone. She sees a reflection of those values in Onam, with its focus on breaking down barriers and embracing all. 

Incorporating cultural practices such as Onam into the workplace nurtures fresh perspectives and fuels creativity. This cultural exchange enriches teams, promoting inclusivity and innovation.

It’s such a wonderful story, and that spirit of unity makes it perfect for people unfamiliar with our culture to join in. I know a lot of people within RSM will be celebrating Onam. I think everyone should share their stories about how they are celebrating.”

As August 29 approaches, Sreeja eagerly looks forward to joining her Australian community in celebrating Onam. This festival isn't a distant tradition but a living embodiment of cultural identity. Through Onam, Sreeja imparts enduring traditions to her children and enriches her workplace with unity and diversity—a reflection of the festival's timeless message.