HAPPY ONAM 16-09-2013

DEAR ALL, 

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 that even when sent to the nether world, he sought the blessing from Lord Vishnu to visit them once in a year. 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.

During the onam festival all people in kerala regardless of being rich or poor will draw pookkalams in front of their houses and celebrate the function. The only disappointing aspect is the absence of eagerness to know the significance of the festival they celebrate. I overheard a lady asking the other lady why pookkalam is drawing infront yard of the house.The former replied that it was customary and no significance was known to her.

Festivals are meant to unite people and create an atmosphere of brotherhood which is essential for peaceful living and development.Gradual drop in faith will foster hatred among people which is detrimental for national development.At the same time one must remember that it is extremely important to know the background of every festival instead of blindly celebrating it. Onam is the festival of Kerala and it is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and zeal throughout the state irrespective of caste, creed and community. wherein people from all parts of the state celebrate with joy forgetting all differences.

One of my malayalee colleague told me that in this busy schedule working life who on earth wants to wake up at 3 A.m, doing pooja, going to temple and above all who will have the time to prepare elaborate dishes like Kaalan, Olan, Cabbage Thoran, Beans, Avial, Saambar, pulinji, Maanga Curry, paayasam etc.He expressed his sorrow  stating that many of the housewives who are working and non working not celebrating onam in thier locality as per our tradition.Instead of cooking food in house they are ordering food from out side and they are busy with their television programmes.If present people are like this means what will happen to future generation?

My achan always tells us that “vanna vazhi markkan Padilla” (Meaning :we should not forget the way we came.It applies to all financial background, cultural background all). Man’s control of external nature is called civilization. His control of internal nature is called culture. Our culture is deep and beautiful. We must learn to admire and respect the same. Instead of mechanically following the customs, if we try to understand their significance we learn there is logic, science, social as well as spiritual significance in many of them. We must make an effort to follow the practical aspects which are suitable for the modern, technological age, at the same time remembering that we must not lose our roots completely. Our culture is highly adaptable and rejuvenates itself. By culture, we also mean a kind of refinement in words, thought and action. This cannot be taught, but has to be imbibed! The rich values in a person always remain unchanged if they are deeply rooted within our hearts, mind, body and soul which we receive from our culture. Even though many have accepted modern means of living, improved lifestyle, a person can change his everything viz., way of clothing, way of eating and living and etc. but values and good beliefs should not be changed. The inner beauty of a person cannot be judged by his or her external appearance or educational qualifications. It is best judged by the refinement of character which we can call the person's culture. We need both spiritual culture and materialistic cultures in our life.

My appeal to all malayalees is please don’t forget our culture and cultural significance. In the name of civilization many people are forgetting their culture. The celebrations which ought to have celebrated in homes are celebrating as a show. These days each and every festival like onam and vishu are celebrating in samithis, hotels etc and very few people are celebrating at home.  These days most of the enjoyment of celebrations is cut off, my amma is highly dissatisfied with the way festivals are celebrated these days. Onam celebrations in hotels and samithis. 

All festivals and celebrations in those days, was not just a ritual to follow. It was interlinked with a lot of other traditions and held a different sort of charm which has totally disappeared along with time. I am not complaining and neither am i lamenting the fact. Change is a way of life and the sooner we adapt to it, the better. But tomorrow, as another generation comes by; we can't help thinking about those carefree bygone days which our future generation can never experience nor enjoy.So please follow our culture.

This post I am dedicating to my Amma Late.Redhi bhaskaran who always says  Nammude onamghosham athinte reethikalil , acharangalil, chinthakalil valareyadikam marikondirikkunnu. ennathanu mathramall, alukalil nishkalangatha illiathayikondirikkunnu.ellavareyum onnupole kananulla chintha/manassu illiathayirikkunnu.mattullavarku enthenkilum kodukkanulla manobhavam illiathayirikkunnu.Ellavarum athyagrahikal mathramanippol.Nammude onam aghosham athinte reethikal markarudhay.Adhu manasil eppoyum undavanam.where ever we go we should follow our culture and tradition.