Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 19: With the blessings of the founder chancellor, the late Dr CA A Raghavendra Rao, and with the support and guidance of the honourable chancellor of Srinivas University, Dr A Srinivas Rao, Srinivas University celebrated Onam 2026 – Aamodham with great enthusiasm and festive spirit at the City Campus, Pandeshwar, Mangaluru.
The celebration was organised by the Institute of Management and Commerce (IMC) and the Institute of Port Shipping and Logistics Management (IPSLM), bringing together students, faculty and staff in a vibrant celebration of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and the spirit of togetherness.
The programme was presided over by Prof Er Mitra S Rao, trustee member, board of governors, Srinivas University. In her address, she appreciated the efforts of the institutions in bringing the traditional spirit of Onam to the campus. She highlighted that celebrations of festivals such as Onam provide students with an opportunity to understand, respect and appreciate India’s diverse cultural traditions while strengthening unity and camaraderie among the university community.
Vijayalakshmi R Rao, trustee member, board of governors, Srinivas University, inaugurated the celebration. Addressing the gathering, she appreciated the vibrant participation of students and faculty in the festivities and emphasised the importance of preserving cultural traditions among the younger generation. She said that celebrations such as Onam create a joyful campus atmosphere while promoting togetherness, harmony and mutual respect.
Dr Ajay Kumar, registrar (development), Srinivas University, spoke about the importance of cultural activities in creating a holistic educational environment. He appreciated the collective efforts of the faculty and students in organising the celebration and encouraged students to actively participate in cultural programmes alongside their academic pursuits.
Dr Venkatesh S Amin, dean, Institute of Management and Commerce and Institute of Port Shipping and Logistics Management, Dr Thrishala Noronha, dean, Institute of Physiotherapy, Dr Subrahmanya Bhat, dean, Institute of Computer Science and Information Science, Dr Padmanabha C H, dean, Institute of Education, and Prof B Prashanth Prabhu, dean, Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism were present.
The festivities featured a colourful array of traditional and cultural elements. The grand entry of Mahabali on a camel emerged as one of the major attractions of the celebration, creating excitement among students and faculty. The rhythmic beats of the traditional Chende added to the festive ambience and brought the cultural flavour of Kerala alive on the university campus.
The traditional Pookalam, colourful decorations and festive atmosphere further enhanced the celebration. As part of the celebration, traditional Onam Sadhya was served to students, faculty and staff adding to the spirit of sharing and community that lies at the heart of the festival.