National, 30 August 2022: Wonderla Holidays, India’s largest amusement park chain is all set to celebrate Onam and welcome visitors with a colossal, ecological, 25-feet tall Onapottan installation, at its Kochi Park. O.S. Unnikrishnan, Chairman of Kerala Folklore Academy inaugurated the world’s tallest installation of the rare folklore character, in the presence of M.A. Ravi Kumar, Park Head, Wonderla Kochi on August 30, 2022. This kick starts Wonderla’s Onam celebrations starting from 3rd to 11th September 2022.
Onapottan, a form of theyyam performed on the occasion of Onam in North Malabar, is not well-known in Central and South Kerala. With the intention of spreading cultural awareness concerning all the Onam legends and celebrations, Wonderla presents this installation.
Shaji Vasan, the sculpture artist, a native of Karapuzha, Kottayam, oversaw its construction, which took three artists and 30 days to complete. Sustainable resources like mats, baskets, wires, and palm leaves were used, along with natural dyes, saffron, and turmeric powder as colouring agents. The structure was constructed by tying the wires together while considering the rainy season, without even using natural adhesive.
“Wonderla launched this initiative with the goal of educating the next generation about Onam celebrations and reviving unique Keralan traditions like Onapottan. All of the leftover wires and other components from Wonderla’s new rides were upcycled to create Onapottan’s body, adding to our efforts to increase eco-friendly measures. Furthermore, it was mandated that the giant structure be built in a way that does not harm the environment,” says Arun K Chittilappally, Managing Director, Wonderla Holidays Ltd.
Wonderla is honoured to have received the Best of India Records award for creating the world’s tallest Onapottan installation,” he adds.
