Onam at Semma NYC

On September 20, 2026, the American Malayali Heritage Foundation joined Semma NYC for an intimate Onam dinner celebrating the food, traditions, and spirit of Kerala with a diverse gathering of guests in New York City.

There is something special about sharing a tradition that has been part of your own story with someone experiencing it for the first time.

That was at the heart of AMHF’s Onam dinner at Semma NYC, an evening created not simply to celebrate Onam, but to invite others into the celebration.

Guests from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds gathered around the table, bringing together writers, artists, entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders, friends, and advocates. Some arrived already knowing the traditions of Onam intimately. For others, the evening offered an introduction to one of Kerala’s most beloved celebrations.

And what better way to tell that story than through food?

A Taste of Kerala

For Malayalis around the world, food is inseparable from Onam. At Semma, that tradition was brought to life through an extraordinary feast of about 30 items, offering guests an opportunity to experience the incredible range of flavors, ingredients, and preparations that define Kerala cuisine.

Creating a Pookalam Together

Guests were also invited to experience another Onam tradition through art. New York-based artist Melissa Joseph led a communal project to create a needle-felted Pookalam, reimagining the traditional floral design as a collaborative work of art.

Just as Pookalams traditionally symbolize welcome, guests were invited to contribute to the piece themselves, making the activity a beautiful reflection of the evening: different people coming together to create something collectively.

Joseph’s practice often explores family history, craft, human connection, and the cultural intersections of diasporic life. Born to a father from Kerala and a mother with Irish roots from Pittsburgh, her work brings an especially meaningful perspective to a celebration centered on heritage and belonging.

Bringing the Onam Spirit to Life

The details throughout the evening were thoughtfully imagined to capture the warmth, beauty, and spirit of Onam. AMHF Board Member Raina Abraham, Founder and Creative Director of Brown Girl Made That, brought her creative vision to the celebration, helping shape the elements that transformed the evening into an immersive cultural experience.

From the visual details to the thoughtful touches woven throughout the space, Raina helped create an atmosphere that felt both rooted in tradition and distinctly contemporary, bringing the spirit of Kerala to life in the heart of New York City.

More Than a Celebration

For AMHF, preserving heritage is only one part of our mission. We also believe in sharing it. Creating opportunities for others to experience Malayali traditions allows our culture to become part of a larger conversation, one rooted in curiosity, connection, and mutual appreciation. On this evening, Onam became more than a celebration within our own community. It became a bridge between communities.

A Thoughtful Kerala-Inspired Gift

The experience continued beyond the dinner table. Each guest received a special gift bag from Sahajan, the Ayurvedic skincare brand founded by Malayali entrepreneur Lisa Mattam. We are grateful to Sahajan for helping us send our guests home with another small piece of the evening, and another connection to the traditions that continue to inspire Malayalis around the world.

One Table, Many Stories

Ultimately, the most memorable part of the evening wasn't any single dish, gift, or moment.

It was the table itself.

People from different backgrounds sitting together. Conversations unfolding over food. This is the kind of cultural exchange AMHF hopes to continue creating. Because preserving our heritage doesn't mean keeping it only to ourselves. It also means creating opportunities to share it proudly, thoughtfully, and authentically with the world around us.

Our sincere gratitude to Chef Vijay Kumar, Roni Mazumdar and the Semma team, Melissa Joseph, Raina Abraham, Lisa Mattam, and everyone who joined us in celebrating Onam and sharing in this special evening.

Onashamsakal from the American Malayali Heritage Foundation.

Photo Credit: Sharon John | Shariiphotography