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| Happy Onam 2023 .indiatimes.com |
Onam, celebrated on Chaturdashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana is the most fascinating and colorful festival of Kerala. A cultural extravaganza showcasing the rich heritage of Kerala, it is not merely a grand spectacular festival but also brings out the nuances of the rich native art forms, culture, and dances of various kinds.that were born long ago on the laps of this coastal paradise. Participation in the festivities means you are on a short cultural and spiritual odyssey through the soul of God's own country.
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What is special about this festival is this exhilarating 10-day celebration is a joyous one for the Keralites cutting across castes creeds, etc. Onam falls in the first month of Chingam as per the Malayalam calendar and people celebrate it by decorating their homes and nearby temples with rangoli made of flowers of various hues and patterns. The floral decorations (Pookolams) are vibrant artistic expressions adorning the courtyards of homes, a subtle way to show respect to Kerala's bountiful nature; apart, they enjoy a great and sumptuous vegetarian feast on the final day of the festival.
Yet another gripping fact is unlike other mythological festivals in which the Assura (demon) is depicted as violent, merciless and ferocious and finally killed by the deity (by taking avatar) in Onam, the mythological demon King Mahabali (grandson of Prahlada) is portrayed as a good and humane Assura, a man well-known for his charitable disposition and integrity. A great ruler of Kerala, his kingdom was so prosperous and peaceful, during his reign his subjects never experienced either pangs of hunger or pains of unjust rule.
The word “Onam” has roots in Sanskrit word “Shravanam”- one of the twenty-seven constellations. It also goes by other names like Thiru-Onam, Thiruvonam, and 'Shravan Mahotsav. Tradition has it that during the Onam festival, people usually wear traditional kasavu saree and mundu (dhoti). Women wear white saree with golden borders symbolic of nature's pure and unspoiled beauty. The golden borders highlight the sun's rays and the mesmerizing sunbaked lush green terrains of Kerala crisscrossed by waterways and enchanting vista of coconut and palm groves
As to the origin of Onam, it all began in Tamil Desam (now Tamil Nadu). Classical literary works in Tamil of Sangam period mention that onam was celebrated with great joy more than 2000 years ago at Madurai, once a center of classical tamil literature.
This year, Onam, an ancient Hindu harvest festival falls on August 29, 2023 (it began on 20 August). The 10 day festivity that begins with Atham culimintes on the day of Thiruvonam, the most auspicious one as it marks the end of the Onam celebrations.
Families prepare and enjoy Onasadya, the rich Onam feast (strictly vegetarian) along with friends and family members. The mouth-watering food with tantalizing flavours and the way it is served is testimony to Kerala’s hospitality and their culinary skills. Delightful to the eyes, an array of dishes on the large banana leaf will never fail to tickle the nerves in the palate. As per the Hindu Mythology, it commemorates the return of the legendary King Mahabali, and his annual homecoming to his land is entwined with a tapestry of interesting mythological episodes and myths. Celebrations of many types are also held in schools, universities, offices, and other places.
There are several cultural activities associated with this festival and some of them are Onakalikal (various games played during the festival), Vallamkali (boat race), Pulikali (a tableau with actors dressed as tigers and hunters), Rangoli competition and archery. Hindus across Kerala celebrate this annual Onam festival with religious fervor and devotion.
The long-drawn festivities provide plenty of opportunities for the young performers of Kerala's various native classical arts to bring out the best in them and the spell-binding spectators get immersed in the grandeur and beauty of Kathakali, Mohiniattam (the graceful dance form emphasizing feminine elegance) Koodiyattam (recognized by the UNESCO) and other intricate dance-drama forms that need lots of training and skill. These performances keep the old art forms alive and interestingly bring out the beauty through captivating displays of artistry, and cogent narration of tales of devotion, mythology that are intertwined with the native culture.
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