ONAM

*ONAM.*

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala. It is the festival, which the keralites celebrates unitedly without the differecnce of caste and religion.

Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, it is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam (the month of Malayalee calendar that corresponds to the August- September time of Gregorian calendar) was celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.

 

The second and the most popularly quoted legend with the festival is related to the demon king, Mahabali. The history of Onam largely revolves around the King Mahabali and his wishful homecoming to meet the people of Kerala. According to a legend, the King ruled the state in such a way that brought prosperity and joy to the people. He loved his subjects so much and his visit once in a year marks the occasion of Onam when people celebrate with great joy. Thus Onam festival is to commemorate the memory of a Great King Mahabali who would keep his promise. Mahabali fulfilled his name as the great martyr for the sake of Truth ("Satya"). The name "Mahabali" itself means Great Sacrifice.

 

One of the most attractive aspects of thiruvonam is the pookkalam (flower designs). Every home is embellished with floral decorations called pookkalam. During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Bali's flawless reign. People wear new clothes (Vastra) during Onam. The 'Vastra' also stands for heart. Thus the significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts and feelings.

 

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).

 

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. 

 

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 one pookkalam banishing all discriminations. All that facilitate Unity and Integrity.

 

ONASADHYA

'Onasadhya' is the grand feast served during the celebration of Onam in Kerala. It is served in Banana leafs. There is a way of placing the leaf and an order of serving the dishes. The picture given below shows the serving order beginning from the left with 'Upperies'.

 

PARIPPU CURRY

SAMBAR

AVIAL

KALAN

OLAN

THORAN

PULIINJI

INJITHAIR

PINEAPPLE PACHHADY

ERISSERY

KOOTUCURRY

NARANGA PICKLE

MANGA CURRY

BANANA CHIPS

SARKARAPURATTY

PAYASAM

PRATHAMAN

LADY'S FINGER KICHADI

Rice is the main course. With rice, various kinds of dishes are served... curries, 'upperies' (things fried in oil), 'pappadams' (round crisp flour paste cakes of peculiar make), 'achchars' (pickles of various kinds), 'payasams' and 'prathamans' (Desserts). Fruits are also served, mainly plantain.

 

When Maveli, our King, rules the land,

All the people form one casteless race.

And people live joyful and merry;

They are free from all harm.

There is neither theft nor deceit,

And no one is false in speech either.

Measures and weights are right;

No one cheats or wrongs the neighbor.

When Maveli, our King, rules the land, 

All the people form one casteless race.

 

*Wish you all a very Happy Onam.*