Happy onam

Today is Onam.The festival of Kerala.Known for its legend,for the prosperity it brings,for the hope that follows,for the colour it spreads,for the life it sprinkles on the entire spectrum of malayalees all over the world.

Legend has it that Onam is celebrated on the 'tiruvonam' day of 'Chingam' (malayalam calender month) in rememberance of Lord Vishnu's avatar as Shri Vamana and the emperor of the then Kerala, Mahabali.Mahabali was an asura(demon) by birth but a very courteous and responsible king,the very best that the land of Kerala had ever been ruled by.They said

"Maveli naadu vaneedum kaalam,
manusharellarumonnupole..
Aamodathode vasikkum kaalam
aapathonnarkkumottalathanum
kallavumilla chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam"

That is,when Maveli(colloquial for Mahabali) ruled ,all were treated as one.Everybody were happy citizens with no woes or complaints,no wrong deeds were heard done,no crimes reported and no falsity in the land.Thus was the golden age when Mahabali ruled.

Because of his ever growing popularity,the devas got insecure that he would win over the entire land and the devas would be disempowered.It is also said that the only weakness that Emperor Mahabali had was his pride.He would do anything for keeping his pride alive.So the devas (sometimes also said that it was Aditi,mother of all devas,who) requested Lord Vishnu to find a solution to their problem.So it was then decided (conspired), that Lord Vishnu will take avatar as Vamana (the fifth of the dasavatar),a Brahmin dwarf.

Vamana visited Mahabali and was treated with reverence by the Emperor,unaware that it was Lord Vishnu himself,who had set foot on his land.Mahabali was himself,an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and was in the midst of performing a yagnja.Pleased by the presence of a brahmin,he asked him what does he wish to be given.The dwarf warns him that what he wants,perhaps,he may not be able to give.So did Shukracharya,the emperors Preceptor warn against making the gift.But Mahabali,a man of words,delightfully agreed to his will,which was just three paces of land.

The dwarf Vamana,Vishnu in disguise,rose to his self,multiple sizes of the dwarf Vamana and took his first step.The limitless sky,the stars and the sun was His's.The next foot rose and rested on th nether world.Afraid,the third step will be on the earth,with no else land to place foot on,Mahabali bowed his head to him for His last step.Before he said adieus to the earth,he was granted a boon,that he could visit his place,his land,once every year.On Onam.Its also believed,thus the good hearted asura was freed from the recurrant cycle of birth and death.

Onam is the homecoming of Mahabali.And so,its celebrated widely,to commemorate his ruling times,when everything used to be happy and gay,when everyone were together and everyday was Worth looking forward to,with a hope and passion for life.

Onam is celebrated with many games and ceremonies.Floral carpets (pookkalam) are put on neat grounds smeared with fresh cow dung.The traditional way is to pluck flowers fresh from the garden and out it together as a family(i used to so very enjoy putting it with my grandpa..miss u..Specially going to find those big pumpkin flowers..:))This saga continues for 10 days,and the major excitement is what design would it be tomorrow that my muttam(front yard) will see.And on the 10th day,its Onam.pyramid shaped Thrikkakkarappan are decorated with a saucy pattern made of powdered rice mixed with water.Thrikkakkarappan are symbolic idols,of the deity of Vamana,as there is a famous temple devoted to Vamana at a place called Thrikkakkara in Kerala.The Onam day arrives early morning and the Thrikkakkarappan is offered 'ada',a steamed flat cake of jaggery-coconut-rice powder,covered in banana leaf.(yummm..i love it)Once the offerings to Vamana is done,it is assumed that Mahabali has been given his permission to visit his countrymen.

Thiruvathirakkali,the traditional dance by the women of the clan,draped in Settumundu(the cream and gold traditional outfit,resembling a sari,but not a sari) is a treat to watch during onam celebrations.The merry singing,the soft sound of the feet stamping,the clatter of claps,all forms an aura of distinct pleasure and happiness and togetherness.

Often,to keep the spirit of Onam alive, and as a manifestation of welcoming the king of all times,Pookkala matsarams(floral carpet competitions) are a common sight in all communities regardless of their religion and cast.

Other games that are quite popular are vadamvali (tug of war),talappanthukali (this,i myself have not heard much,my father often speaks of this game,meaning 'headballgame'),Oonjalattam(swinging,it is a norm to have home made twig swings hanging from the tree in your yard),Onathallu(strange,but yes,it is a violent game,thallu means fight),boat races(there is yet another story behind the tie up between boats and onam),uriyadi(where a pot with some colour or buttermilk is hung from the top and its moved,and the game is won by the person who breaks the pot),pulikkali(puli means tiger,and it is fascinating to watch human shaped-tigers dancing to the tunes of traditional melam in the streets of Kerala)

<----Vadamvali

<----- Oonjalattam

<----Uriyadi

 

 <----Pulikkali

And then there is the sadya,(the feast),a sumptuous one complete with payasam spread on a banana leaf.Its a feast that people die for!!A truly delicious one, whose praise have been travelling far across many boundaries!

Onam sadya

This year my family could not celebrate Onam due to a personal loss in the family..But I'm one of the foolish people who believe in the homecoming of Mahabali and hence I dedicate my solemn gesture of prayers and gratitude in my own way!Happy Onam to all of you!