And during Onam, the banana chips are among the large assortment of edible items that find their way onto a fresh plantain leaf, for the traditional Onam feast, the sadya. For a small state nestled away at a corner of the nation, the cuisine from Kerala has had a widespread impact. Another reason Naren attributes for the popularity of Kerala cuisine is the broad spectrum of taste it provides. “This year, I won’t be heading home to celebrate Onam with my family due to some unavoidable circumstances, but the sadya is something I don’t want to miss out on. Much like Eid, another festival that unites people across beliefs and cultures with food, Onam too is reaching out beyond the boundaries of the state and touching people across the country.

Source: The Hindu September 12, 2016 09:22 UTC