In the remote border village of Karo, an educator from Malappuram blended Southern traditions with indigenous tribal culture, breathing new life into a struggling school.

Tucked away in the misty, rugged folds of Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi district lies Karo, a quiet border village located just miles from the India-China line of actual control. For years, the rhythm of life here followed the silent hum of the mountains, far removed from the cultural pulses of Peninsular India. Yet, on a crisp morning during the festive harvest season, the air in Karo resonated with the vibrant sounds of Kerala’s folk music, the rich aroma of a traditional Sadhya feast, and the bright colors of a floral Pookkalam. At the center of this extraordinary cultural bridge was Ali Ashkar, a 28-year-old school teacher from Areekode in Malappuram, Kerala, whose dedication transformed not only a school on the brink of collapse but also brought two distinct worlds together.

A School on the Brink of Extinction

When Ali Ashkar first arrived at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Av residential school (NSCBAV) in Karo under an educational NGO initiative, he was greeted by a daunting reality. The institution was fighting for its survival. Severe dropout rates, a complete lack of basic hostel facilities, harsh winter weather, and the sheer geographic isolation of the village had rendered the school almost defunct. Families in the region, facing economic hardships and limited infrastructure, often withdrew their children to assist with domestic work or sent them far away, leading to a dwindling student count that threatened the school with permanent closure.

Undeterred by the daunting circumstances, Ashkar realized that conventional teaching methods would not suffice. To save the school, he needed to forge a deep, personal connection with the local community and rekindle the children’s passion for learning. He turned to creative arts, storytelling, music, and digital media. Using his online platform (@teacher_tales_), Ashkar began documenting the daily lives, innate talents, and triumphs of his students. By celebrating their heritage and making learning an interactive, joyful experience, confidence was restored among the parents. Enrolment steadily climbed, eventually exceeding 100 students, while the school transformed into a vibrant center of learning and community gathering.

“Education is not merely about textbooks; it is about building emotional bonds and fostering respect for diversity. Bringing Onam to Karo was not about imposing my culture, but about creating a joyous shared canvas where Kerala and Arunachal could paint together.”

The Fusion Onam: A Symphony of Cultures

The idea of celebrating Onam—Kerala’s grand harvest festival celebrating mythic King Mahabali—in the high-altitude hills of Arunachal Pradesh seemed improbable at first. However, Ashkar saw it as an opportunity to curate an unprecedented cross-cultural exchange. Rather than hosting a standard festival, the celebration was envisioned as a fusion of Southern and Eastern traditions.

On the day of the festival, the school grounds witnessed a striking visual harmony. The local Arunachali children wore their traditional woven garments, known as Gale, featuring intricate tribal patterns. Meanwhile, non-local teachers dressed in classic Kerala attire—men in white mundus and women in elegant gold-bordered Kasavu sarees. The highlight of the attire, however, was the figure of King Mahabali itself. Instead of the traditional costume typically seen in Southern celebrations, a local student assumed the role of Maveli, proudly adorned in the traditional tribal attire and ceremonial ornaments of the local Adi Bokar tribe. This unique adaptation symbolized a profound mutual respect between indigenous Arunachali identity and Malayali heritage.

Highlights of the Karo Onam Celebration:

• Indigenous Maveli: King Mahabali represented through the traditional attire and ornaments of the Adi Bokar tribe.
• Cross-Continental Feast: A 200 km logistical journey across mountain terrain to source authentic ingredients for the 26-item Onam Sadhya.
• Community Pookkalam: A grand floral carpet constructed entirely from wild flora and flowers gathered from villagers’ homes across Karo.
• Cultural Medley: An 8-minute viral performance combining Malayalam folk anthems, Tamil tracks, and local dance movements.

Overcoming Mountain Logistics for a Grand Feast

Executing an authentic Onam Sadhya—a grand feast served on banana leaves consisting of multiple curries, pickles, and desserts—in a remote Himalayan border village proved to be an immense logistical challenge. Key ingredients such as jaggery, specific spices, coconut, papadam, and banana chips were virtually non-existent in the local high-altitude markets.

Demonstrating remarkable resolve, Ashkar and fellow staff members undertook a grueling 200-kilometer round trip across rough, unpaved mountain roads to procure the necessary provisions from larger district hubs. The effort soon turned into a collective village project. Moved by the teachers’ enthusiasm, the villagers of Karo contributed fresh organic vegetables cultivated in their own step-farming patches. Together, the staff, students, and village elders prepared a traditional meal featuring sambar, rasam, payasam, and local dishes, bridging culinary traditions across thousands of kilometers.

The creation of the Pookkalam (floral carpet) reflected a similar community effort. Children and local residents spent the preceding evening gathering wild mountain blossoms and garden flowers from homes throughout Karo village, meticulously arranging them into intricate geometric patterns at the school’s entrance.

A National Viral Movement and Enduring Impact

The crescendo of the celebration arrived with a high-energy, 8-minute performance featuring the students and faculty. Dressed in their hybrid attire, the children performed a choreographed routine set to a medley of iconic Malayalam folk tracks—including the energetic songs of the late Kalabhavan Mani like “Varuthantoppam Olichu Chadiya Thankamme”—alongside popular Tamil tracks and modern beat sequences. The video of these Himalayan children dancing with effortless joy to Southern rhythms captivated audiences nationwide.

Upon being shared on social media, the footage quickly garnered millions of views across various platforms. The story gained widespread national prominence when prominent leaders, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, publicly commended the initiative as a shining model of national integration, unity in diversity, and grass-roots educational leadership. Beyond the digital praise, the event brought much-needed visibility to the NSCBAV School, helping secure further support for its infrastructure and educational programs.

Through dedicated effort and cultural synthesis, Ali Ashkar demonstrated that geographical borders and linguistic differences pose no barrier to human connection. By introducing the warmth of Onam to the cold hills of Arunachal Pradesh, a small border school was not only saved from closure, but rendered an enduring symbol of unity across India’s vast cultural landscape.

About The Author

LAJONG11

See author's posts