WHAT IS POOKALAM:

WHAT IS POOKALAM:-

Athapookalam or Onapookalam is the flower bed or flower arrangements done during Onam celebrations in Kerala. The tradition of making Pookalam in front of the main entrance is very old and is followed by everyone who belongs to Kerala. Athapoo is usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves. In Malayalam language, 'Poo' stands for 'flower' where as 'Kalam' stands for 'artwork'. It is an intricate and very colourful arrangement of flowers which, when laid on the floor, gives an appearance of a carpet made purely of flowers. The floral carpet, known as ‘Onapookkalam, is made out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little pieces. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.

FLOWERS USED FOR POOKKALAM:-

 

Traditionally pookalam included flowers endemic to Kerala and the Dashapushpam (10 flowers) i.e.

 

1) Valliuzhinja,(Cardiospermum halicacabum)

2) Thiruthali, ( Manthrogora Officianalum)

3) Muyalchevi(Oricheviyan,)

4) Nilappana,(Curculigo Orchiodes)

5) Mukkuti (Biophytum Sensitivum),

6) Karuka(Cynodon dactylon),

7) Kanjunni/Kayyonni(Eclipta alba),

8) Poovam Kurinnila(Vernonia cineria),

9) Cheroola(Ervalanata),

10) Vishnukraanthi/Krishnakraanthi(Ivolvulus Ulcinoides).

“Dasa” means ten in sanskrit and pushpam means flowers. These ten herbs are traditionally significant to Keralites, and are used for decorative purposes, such as making the floral carpet Pookalam during festivals like Onam.Divine power of dasapushpam the ten sacred herbs flowers give a healthy mind body and soul having many curative properties. More than flowers the entire plant is considered in this group and is widely used in ayurveda. These herbs are found almost everywhere in Kerala and ealrier pookalam is made up of only with dasahapuspam.

Nowadays Various flowers are used to get the desired design and pattern.  Commonly used flowers are Thumba, Thulasi, Kadali, Mukkutti, Chethi, Shankupushpam, Manthaaram, Jemanthi and Chembarathi , Rose, Marigold, Pichakam, pavizhamalli, nandyaarvattam, are some of the flowers using for making pookalam. Thumba flowers are considered best as they are small in size white in color and glitter in the rays of the sun  which depicts purity and it manifests the presence of all colors - the complete energy of light.

SIGNIFICANCE OF POOKALAM:-

Pookalam forms a vital part in the welcoming celebration of King Mahabali whose soul visits the state in the ten days during Onam feels happy to see these beautiful patterns on the entrance of one’s home. The design made on the veranda or at the entrance of the home sets the essence of the festival and fills the air with festivity. Thus, the prosperity and happiness of that home is ensured for along time.

MESSAGE OF POOKALAM:-

Onappookkalam symbolizes Unity in Diversity, all flowers gather harmoniously. “Pookkalam represent the unity of hearts. use of many different types of flower petals to make a pookkalam is symbolic of the coming together of hearts in society. The unity of hearts is the beauty of society. Each flower has a beauty of its own, but when they come together their beauty multiplies. This is the true celebration of Onam.” Bloomed flower is a materialization of joy, happiness, accomplished expectations, abundance, plenitude etc. Flowers of various fragrance, colour and quality gather in onepookkalam banishing all discriminations. All that facilitate Unity and Integrity.