Onam Ponnonam
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. Well, since we are here in Kuwait and still is getting the chance to enjoy this festival, I would say it is celebrated by Keralites. It falls on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam. Onam is related to the story of the asur King Mahabali and Vamana. The king was greatly respected and was wise, judicious and generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed it’s Golden Era during his rule. It is believed that King Mahabali visits Kerala to see his citizens on this auspicious day.
This festival is celebrated by all regardless of their caste and religion. The celebrations start by the first day ‘Atam’ and even last after the tenth day till ‘Uthrathadi’. During my grandparents time, before the month of Chingam i.e., Karkidakam there is a special day for children called the ‘Pilleronam’. It is a mini Onam celebrated for the kids. The ‘pookalam’ or the flower carpet plays an ideal role in the festival. The size of the flower carpet increases day by day. ‘Oonjal’ or the swing is put in the house compound during this time.
And there’s nothing more I can say about the sadya (banquet)! Because it’s all about the taste!!!
Being away from Kerala during Onam does not bring down the excitement one bit less. In fact I think that we expats celebrate any festival more than our native place does. We have Onam programs conducted by our building. We even go to our cousins and friends house to celebrate this event.
My dad makes sure that we don’t miss the games and fun just because we are not in our native place. So he sets up whatever possible in our flat itself. My dad spend most of his childhood in Aranmula, a village in Pathanamthitta. And you might know the very famous boat racing (called ‘utratadi vallamkali’) and the ‘aranmula vallasadiya’ that take place around this time. I have not yet got the opportunity to see this spectacular event and I wish that I would get a chance in the coming years. And the sadya is one of the best ones I have tasted with around 45 dishes.
Last to last year, me and my cousins were in India during the Onam season. We were really eager to celebrate the festival in our native place as we don’t get this opportunity much often. But our expectations were brought down by the unexpected flood that hit most part of Kerala. But again we didn’t allow that to mess up our much awaited merriment. We arranged certain games that people play during this season. Among that was Uriyadi, Vadamvali etc. We visit our relatives place one by one for celebrating and we cousins have a lot of fun.
I really do hope that the coming Onam will be as great as the ones that have gone by. But celebrate the festival by staying safe.
Wishing a very happy Onam to all..!
s