Exclusive! Malaika Arora on her Onam celebrations: Come hungry, leave satiated

Ditching her usual avatar, Malaika Arora embraced tradition as she celebrated Onam with Bombay Times. Dressed in the classic off white sari with a golden border, she completed her festive look with elegant temple jewellery.

Excerpts from the chat:‘My house is multicultural’“I haven’t dressed up in such a festive look in a long time,” she tells us while posing for the camera. Talking about the Mallu side of her family, Malaika shares, “My house is multicultural. You have seen the Catholic side of me as we celebrate Christmas. My mom is a Mallu Catholic, and that’s where Onam comes in. And then there is the Punjabi side, thanks to my father.”

‘As a kid, my duty was to wipe down the banana leaves’Recounting Onam celebrations from her childhood, she shares, “It’s a tradition that started at my ammamma’s (grandmother’s) house.

After her demise, it is my mother who’s continuing the tradition. For us, Onam means family and food. I like the whole vibe during the harvest festival. There is the smell of mogra in the air. There are banana leaves in which the food is served. As a kid, my duty was to wipe the banana leaves and place them in order.

My cousins and I used to sit on the floor and have food. Sadhya is where 26 dishes are served, including salt, which is also considered a dish, likewise pickle, banana chips and papad.”

‘Arhaan loves culture and festivities’Malaika’s son Arhaan also enjoys being part of the celebrations. She says, “He used to try running away from it earlier, but now he’s totally into it. He really looks forward to going for Ganpati celebrations to his dad’s (Arbaaz Khan’s) cousins’ house. He loves celebrating Onam and Christmas too. I remember when he was a kid, mom made him wear a mundu; he wore it, but then he was very restless (laughs). I like how my son has grown up in a multicultural environment from both his mom’s and dad’s side.

”