SIAA & Indian Overseas Congress Australia Host One of Australia’s Biggest Onam celebrations

Sydney, 1 September 2026: The South Indian Cultural Association of Australia (SIAA), in association with Indian Overseas Congress Australia (IOC Australia), successfully hosted a grand Onam celebration on Sunday, 23 August 2026, bringing together thousands of members of the Indian and wider multicultural community for an unforgettable celebration of Kerala’s culture, traditions and community spirit.

The event emerged as one of the largest Onam celebrations held in Australia, with more than 2,000 guests attending throughout the day. One of the major highlights was the traditional Onam Sadhya, enjoyed by approximately 1,700 attendees, reflecting the extraordinary scale, organisation and community participation in the celebration.

The celebration was led by Mr Antony Yesudasan, President of SIAA and National Vice President of IOC Kerala Chapter, along with Mr Shaibu C. Balan, General Secretary of SIAA and National Secretary of IOC Australia, with the dedicated support of the entire SIAA Executive Committee, volunteers and Indian Overseas Congress Australia team.

Mr K. P. Jose, Chairman of SIAA, also played an important role in supporting the successful organisation of the celebration.

Renowned Indian cine artist Vimala Raman, who joined the celebration as a special guest and Brand Ambassador, added further distinction and glamour to the occasion.

The event was honoured by the presence of several distinguished guests and community leaders, including:

• Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP – Chief Guest, Federal Member for Parramatta, Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy
• Warren Kirby MP – Member for Riverstone, Parliament of New South Wales
• Gabe Kavanagh – Special Guest Speaker and Divisional Secretary of Public Health, Health Services Union
• Vimala Raman – Renowned Cine Artist and Brand Ambassador
• Dr V. R. Krishnan – Patron, SIAA and National Advisory Board Member, IOC Kerala Chapter
• K. P. Jose – Chairman, SIAA

The cultural program was one of the major attractions of the celebration, featuring outstanding performances by renowned artists Amritha Suresh and Abhirami Suresh with the Amrutham Gamaya team, along with Gautham Vincent and Vishnu Vardhan.

Their energetic and memorable performances brought the vibrant colours, music and festive spirit of Kerala to the Australian stage and received an overwhelming response from the audience.

Special guests representing the Indian Overseas Congress family included Mr Manoj Sheoran, National President of Indian Overseas Congress Australia, and Mr Gurjinder Singh Gavy, National President of Indian Overseas Youth Congress Australia.

Mr Gurjinder Singh Gavy also serves as Chairman of the NRI & Overseas Congress Cell, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, and President of Student Union India–Australia.

SIAA sincerely acknowledges the valuable support extended by Mr Manoj Sheoran and Indian Overseas Congress Australia towards the organisation and successful delivery of this major community celebration.

Their cooperation, encouragement and continued support contributed significantly to bringing together the wider Indian community and strengthening the spirit of unity and multiculturalism.

The success of the celebration was made possible through the tireless efforts of SIAA office-bearers, Executive Committee members, volunteers, performers, sponsors, community organisations and supporters who worked extensively behind the scenes.

SIAA Leadership

Antony Yesudasan
President, SIAA
National Vice President, IOC Kerala Chapter

Shaibu C. Balan
General Secretary, SIAA
National Secretary, IOC Australia

K. P. Jose
Chairman, SIAA

Dr V. R. Krishnan
Patron, SIAA
National Advisory Board Member, IOC Kerala Chapter

SIAA Executive Members

• Dilip Ramanunni
• Remya Pookot
• Smitha Antony

SIAA President Antony Yesudasan and General Secretary Shaibu C. Balan, on behalf of the organisation, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to every Executive Committee member, volunteer, sponsor, performer and supporter whose dedication and hard work contributed to the success of the event.

They also thanked all the distinguished guests, community leaders and the more than 2,000 attendees who joined the celebration and made the occasion truly memorable.

SIAA stated:

“Onam is more than a festival. It represents unity, equality, happiness, cultural pride and togetherness. Seeing more than 2,000 people from different backgrounds come together to celebrate Onam was an extremely proud moment for the entire SIAA family.

We sincerely thank every individual, organisation, volunteer, artist, sponsor and community leader who supported us and helped make this celebration such a remarkable success.”

The organisation also extended special appreciation to Mr Manoj Sheoran, National President of Indian Overseas Congress Australia, and the entire IOC Australia team for their valuable support and cooperation with SIAA.

The overwhelming turnout and community response demonstrated the growing contribution and strength of the Indian and Kerala communities in Australia, while reinforcing Australia’s strong multicultural values.

The event also highlighted the importance of preserving India’s rich cultural heritage and passing its traditions to future generations while sharing them proudly with the wider Australian community.

SIAA extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who attended, supported and contributed to making the 2026 Onam celebration one of the most memorable and successful Onam celebrations in Australia.

SIAA looks forward to continuing its work in bringing communities together through cultural, social and multicultural initiatives across Australia.

Issued by:

South Indian Cultural Association of Australia (SIAA)

Antony Yesudasan
President, SIAA
National Vice President, IOC Kerala Chapter

Shaibu C. Balan
General Secretary, SIAA
National Secretary, IOC Australia