Manchester City's 'Happy Onam' Instagram Post In Malayalam Goes Viral

English Premier League club Manchester City's Instagram post extending Onam wishes in Malayalam went viral on the internet and warmed the hearts of the local populace. Manchester City wished Malayalees across the world "Happy Onam" in Malayalam, as a result of which the Instagram picture went viral and warmed the club's fan base in Kerala. While the image focuses on superstar Erling Haaland in blue jersey biting into a fried pappadam, the background shows two houseboats lined up close to a piece of land defined by coconut trees, catching the instant attention of Malayalees across world. Kerala Tourism reposted the image on Facebook, saying "The team with 32 major honours in the English Premier League wishes all Malayalees a happy Onam. Manchester City has quite a dedicated Malayalee following all over the world”.

A post shared by Manchester City (@mancity)

This, too, earned a flurry of congratulations, a Kerala Tourism statement said here on Thursday.

Commenting on the post, Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on Thursday that football has for long been part of the state's sporting culture, which has now earned yet another note of warmth from abroad.

"Manchester City is among the world's top football clubs and they have dedicated followers in Kerala as well," he said.

The Instagram picture is effectively a token of the club's gratitude to us, the minister added.

While Onam, as Kerala's harvest festival, bears the egalitarian spirit of universal bonding, experts note that the impact of Manchester City's Onam post is a pointer to ways a football club can go beyond its traditional boundaries and appeal to faraway people from different backgrounds.

One commentator said the 143-year-old club is making a