Amrita Arora, who has a  Malayali lineage, will be  relishing the harvest feast  today with ‘good friend’ Shakeel Ladak.

There’s a little yellow, a dash of orange and tons of green too—in fact all the colours of the rainbow that surround the festival of Onam (the harvest festival celebrated in Kerala), that takes place on Friday.       
For actor Amrita Arora, the festival marks a harbinger of all good tidings, of family and fun and, of course, the traditional meal of Onasadya (includes several delicacies). “Our family is getting together  today and I’ll be wearing a mundaveshti (the traditional white and gold sari),” she smiles.

Being born to a Malayali Catholic mother (Joyce) and a Punjabi father (Anil), has Amrita  observing almost every festival. Onam is one of them.

The traditional plantain leaves are set to welcome a gastronomic banquet made by her mother at the Arora home. “Our ancestral home is in Alleppey, and we would have loved to be there. But it is not easy for everyone to do so with their busy schedules,” she explains.

For today, they have to settle with a celebration in Mumbai. “I love the flavours of Onam,” she continues. “We will have at least 12 dishes, inclduing thairesaadam (curd rice with a tadka of rye and bay leaves) and avial with loads of homemade ghee to top.”

Nephew Arhaan (Malaika and Arbaaz Khan’s six-year-old son) is a huge huge fan of sambar or pulisseri.” But what also has her excited is that her ‘good friend’ Shakeel Ladak is going to join them in the celebrations. “He loves idlis and dosas. I am sure he’ll relish the sadhya too,” she ends.