All Kerala Colleges Alumni Forum brings university youth festival nostalgia to the UAE with 28 competitive events across four houses
SHARJAH, September 8, 2026 : More than 750 performers representing 150 college alumni associations across Kerala will gather at Delhi Progressive School in Muwailah, Sharjah, on September 20 for the third edition of the AKCAF Campus Onam festival, organizers announced.
The All Kerala Colleges Alumni Forum (AKCAF), the apex body coordinating graduates of institutions across Kerala living in the United Arab Emirates, designed the full-day event to recreate the competitive spirit and cultural heritage of Kerala’s university youth festivals.
Participants will compete across 28 traditional arts and athletic categories, divided into four competitive houses. The roster of events includes Vallappattu (boat songs), Uriyadikkal (pot-breaking), Athapookkalam (floral carpet design), Thiruvathirakali, Margamkali, Oppana, group dance, spot painting, pencil drawing, fancy dress, and an open AKCAF Family Show segment. Culinary contests focusing on traditional payasam and pickle preparation will run in tandem with stage performances.
The inter-collegiate championship will follow a house-point system structured around four designated alumni captains: Shibin representing Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur; Jincy leading Vimala College, Thrissur; Anju Jobert heading St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam; and Shebin captaining Government College, Attingal.
Beyond competitive categories, the event features an Onachantha (artisan market), traditional Kottippattu recitals, a community Onasadya banquet, and live showcases by in-house cultural wings. Highlights include a musical concert by the AKCAF Music Club and a patriotic dance production titled Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, staged by the AKCAF Dance Club.
Preparations involve an 18-member functional committee comprising 400 volunteers under Event Director Ranjith Kodoth and steering coordinators Sudheer Poyyara, Bindhya Sreenivas, and Pushpajan, assisted by joint conveners Rakhi Ramanan, Biju Krishnan, Raija Manoj, and Noushad Ahmed.
The festival schedule and organizational charter were formalized during a general convention inaugurated by AKCAF Chief Patron Isaac John Pattaniparambil. Addressing attendees, Pattaniparambil emphasized that the forum seeks to bridge intergenerational diaspora networks by reconnecting alumni through shared cultural milestones. AKCAF President Charles Paul presided over the session, while General Secretary V. S. Bijukumar delivered the welcome address.
The convention also hosted a formal farewell for Mintu P. Jacob, the outgoing UAE Bureau Chief of Malayala Manorama, who is returning to India to assume new editorial responsibilities in Kerala. Forum executives presented Jacob with an honorific memento recognizing his contribution to expatriate journalism.
The launch of community Sadya dining tokens was handled by Arya, representing event partner Prosperity Services. Forum executives including Chairman Shahul Hameed, Treasurer Judin Fernandes, Chief Coordinator Anoop Anil Devan, Secretary Manoj K. V., Ladies Wing Chairperson Rani Sudheer, Joint Secretary Ranjith Kodoth, Joint Treasurer Shibu Muhammed, Vice Chairman Ameer Kallatra, Ladies Wing President Vidya Puthussery, and Secretary Rashmi Isaac addressed the assembly. Joint Secretary Shakir Hussain delivered the vote of thanks.
