India, Sept. 1 -- The sight of a banana leaf spread with curries in vibrant colours, the crackle of a pappadam, the tang of inji puli and the sweetness of payasam has long defined Kerala's harvest festival. The Onam Sadya is more than just a feast - it is a symbol of plenty, a journey through flavours that move from sweet to tangy, spicy to savoury. Traditionally, the spread could feature up to 25 to 30 dishes, filling the leaf from end to end. In recent years, however, a scaled-down version - the mini Sadya - has been finding its place on banana leaves across homes, restaurants and even corporate tables.

Simply put, the mini Sadya captures the essence of the full spread without the excess. "Normally, a proper Onam leaf can go up to 25 d...