Onam - A Nostalgic Feeling

Onam - A Nostalgic Feeling

Onam is a season in which everybody in kerala or rather keralites around the world is struck by a strong bout of nostalgia

Of all festivals celebrated by Keralites Onam is by far the most vivid and colorful one. The torrential monsoon which batters this piece of land from the month of June to August recedes giving a respite to all to come out and enjoy the fresh sunlight with Flowers and ready to be harvested fields all around. Like all festivals of this culture-rich people in kerala, onam too has a mythology.which is also unique.

The story runs thus “There lived an emperor in kerala by name Bali (known as Maha- Bali - Maha meaning great) .He ruled this piece of land so well that his kingdom became More prosperous than heaven.This made the demi- gods of heaven so jealous that they conspired to eliminate him. The demigods (Devas) approached Lord Vishnu, their chief and appealed for the elimination of the king to save the heaven from loosing its status. Lord Vishnu took the shape of a poor Brahmin and approached the king beseeched for Alms the king offered to give the Brahmin whatever he asked.(Sukramuni - the guru of Mahabali - had warned the king of imminent dangers sensing the appearance of the Brahmin, which the king ignored) In return the Brahmin begged for three feet measure of land. The Brahmin all of a sudden turned in to his original form and measured all earth, heaven and hell with his two feet and asked for space for his third foot. Mahabali came to know about true identity of the royal visitor and with due obeisance bowed his head before Lord Vishnu and begged that the third foot may be placed on his head. Lord Vishnu Was shaken by the benevolence of the great Mahabali and readily headed to Bali’s humble request that once in a year he may be permitted to visit his dear land that is Kerala. And after Vishnu placed his foot on the head of the emperor suddenly the Emperor was transported to his original abode. But as promised Mahalbali visits Kerala once in a year to see his dear people it is believed that Mahabali visits each and every home in Kerala. People of Kerala to show their respect to their former king recreate a happy and gay atmosphere to please Mahabali.

ATHAM celebration falls ten days prior to onam.This celebration is mainly for Girls and women. A floral treat lasting ten days .every morning girls under the guidance of grownups will make a floral decoration before their home. Competitions for the best arrangements are also held. The collecting of flowers is done in previous day by children. Boys and girls in groups go surrounding places with basket for this purpose. The temple at Thrikkakara in Kottayam District in Kerala is known for the great
Celebration of Atham held ten days prior to onam.

SWING (oonjal) children get the rare enjoyment in swinging as schools are closed and no worry about schools and studies.Grownups make big swings to children who assemble around it and play all sort of games.

VASTRAM (new dress) all members of family are privileged to get new dress. And girls In their new silk skirts are a feast to the beholder

SADHYA (feast) The feast accompanying Onam celebrations is not just an ordinary one It is something unique with more than twenty items which is served in plantain leaf each has specific position as shown in the accompanying picture. The rice occupies the central Position on which moong dhal (parippu) first served on the right side only after that is over the sambhar then comes the turn of the sweet treats payasams of different hues. The sour one pulissery made from curd and then finally moru which is a treat to acidity that may arise after the heavy intake.

Of late commercialization has taken it’s toll in the traditional mode of celebrations and extensive shopping eating out at expensive hotels are becoming the order of the day. The electronic and print media have been responsible for this fallout, but also have to be admitted that old mode of celebrations can be accessed by the new generation who are placed far away and detached from the traditional setups. Medias are playing commendable role in preserving the modes so that each Keralite has access wherever he is residing

A NOSTALGIA - Time has changed and definitely is changing. No one can forget about the celebrations he has physically taken part, and the rituals one has observed in one’s younger ages wherever one has gone or whatever one has become. The word Onam Will take him to his native village in that second – the places he has wandered with his childhood friends. And the little quarrels and calf loves happened and forgotten far before. His siblings as little kids – who are old and living far away-perhaps thinking about the same things he is thinking as it is onam season which for everybody to dream, to be struck by strong bout of nostalgia.It is onam after all!!!!.

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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