Birla Opus ‘Onathinu Varnnamekam’: Kerala’s Grand Pookalam Competition Returns for Onam 2026
Onam is the season of colour, and this year Kerala’s most beloved festive tradition — the pookalam — takes centre stage in a competition worth lakhs. Birla Opus “Onathinu Varnnamekam” (loosely, “Adding Colour to Onam”) is a state-wide floral-carpet contest organised by Malayala Manorama for Birla Opus, the paint brand from the Aditya Birla Group. If your team has an eye for design and a love for tradition, this is your chance to turn petals into prize money.
What Is the Competition About?
A pookalam is the intricate floral carpet Malayalis lay out at their doorsteps during Onam — a living canvas made entirely from flowers, leaves, and natural materials. “Onathinu Varnnamekam” celebrates exactly this art form, inviting teams across Kerala to compete in creating the most beautiful, creative, and traditional floral designs.
Fittingly for a paint brand, the whole campaign is built around colour — the artistry of arranging natural hues into a harmonious, eye-catching design.
Where the Magic Happens
The competition unfolds in four major cities, hosted at popular shopping destinations:
- Thiruvananthapuram — Lulu Mall
- Kochi — Lulu Mall
- Thrissur — Selex Mall
- Kozhikode — Lulu Mall
Holding the finals in bustling malls means participants get to showcase their craft in front of large, festive crowds.
Key Dates to Remember
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration window | 9 August – 22 August 2026 |
| Announcement of finalists | 23 August 2026 |
| Grand final (on-ground pookalam contest) | 24 August 2026 |
The event runs in two phases: an online selection round based on your registration entry, followed by the on-ground final where selected teams create their pookalams live.
Who Can Take Part?
- Participation is free and open to anyone aged 18 or above.
- You compete as a team: a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 members, excluding the captain (so 5 to 7 people in total, including the captain).
- Each team must nominate one team captain.
- A person can be part of only one team.
- Employees of the organising company and partners are not eligible.
How Many Teams Reach the Final?
From the selection round, the finalists are chosen city by city:
- 20 teams each from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur
- 12 teams from Kochi
These finalists then battle it out live on 24 August.
The Prizes: Up to ₹1 Lakh
A total of 13 winning teams will be crowned — three winners from each of the four cities (12 city-level winners), plus one Mega Winner chosen across all venues.
- 🏆 Mega Winner — ₹1,00,000
- 🥇 First Place (each city) — ₹20,000
- 🥈 Second Place (each city) — ₹15,000
- 🥉 Third Place (each city) — ₹10,000
Prizes are handed out on competition day, and the team captain must be present in person to receive the award.
The Rules of the Floral Duel
To keep the contest fair and rooted in tradition, the organisers have set clear guidelines:
- Each team gets a 4 ft × 4 ft space to create their pookalam.
- Only natural materials — flowers and leaves — are allowed. Plastic flowers, artificial items, clay, permanent markers, and pre-drawn sketches or templates are strictly prohibited.
- The organisers supply the commonly used flowers in adequate quantity, but teams may bring additional flowers, leaves, and decorative items at their own discretion (everything must stay within the allotted space).
- Teams get a maximum of three hours to complete the design, including any sketching or layout work.
- Teams are responsible for keeping their pookalam clean and intact until the prize ceremony.
How Teams Are Judged
The expert panel evaluates each pookalam on:
- Traditional character
- Creativity
- Aesthetic appeal
- Neatness and precision
- Team coordination
- Colour arrangement
The decision of the judges is final.
How to Register
Registration is done entirely online at birlaopusonam.com. To sign up, you’ll need to:
- Select your city and venue/location.
- Create your team and pick a team colour.
- Add your team members (4–6, excluding the captain).
- Share your Onam story — what makes the festival special to you.
- Optionally, upload a photo of a previous pookalam your team has created (JPG/PNG/JPEG).
That’s it — submit the form during the registration window (9–22 August 2026) and wait for the finalist announcement on 23 August.
Need Help?
For any questions about the competition, you can reach the organisers on their helpline: +91 73566 06921.
Final Thoughts
Onam is about togetherness, tradition, and beauty — and few things capture that spirit better than a team huddled over a blooming pookalam. Birla Opus “Onathinu Varnnamekam” turns that timeless ritual into a friendly, colourful competition with real rewards. Whether you’re chasing the ₹1 lakh mega prize or simply the joy of creating art with your friends and family, this Onam is the perfect time to gather your team and let your creativity blossom.
Round up your crew, register before 22 August, and add your splash of colour to Onam 2026.
Disclaimer: This blog is an informational write-up based on the official Birla Opus Onathinu Varnnamekam 2026 event page. For the most accurate and up-to-date details — including any changes to dates, rules, or terms & conditions — please refer to the official website, birlaopusonam.com.
