Onam Festival: Kerala

INTRODUCTION

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala. It is the festival, which the keralites celebrate unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters; the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate. Colourful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred rive Pamba.

After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green. The brooks and streams come alive, spitting forth-gentle white foam, the lakes and rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom. It is time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice. The harvest festival of Onam corresponds with the Malayalam New Year, Chingam.

Onam Festival of Kerala Onam Festival of KeralaOnam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are cantered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September). This year it falls on 15 September 2005. Onam is a harvest festival, and celebrates the bounty of nature after a year of hard labour. Elaborate procession of Trichur and spectacular snake boat races on River Pampa mark the merry-making nature of the festival. Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewellery and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with coloured rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of their homes.

Onam is a celebration of Ten days. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome the King. There will be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating these ten days will pomp and gaiety. They will wear new dresses, will be visiting almost all temples which they can, they will be performing lot of dances like Thiruvathira kali Thumbi Tullal etc. to name a few and the most important thing is the grant lunch they will be having on the Thiuruvonam day. Which is also called the Fourth Onam. Whatever may happen they will not miss the Grant lunch. There is a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means, "We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties". They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruonam day.

LEGENDS OF ONAM KERALA

A long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.

Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf Brahmin’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth; Mahabali offered his head as the last step. Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

Another Legend

Another legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was sincere, honest, just and a good ruler. But he had one weakness — ego. And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin, Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.

The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed. To make Mahabali realise that he was a puny creature in front of God's universal stature, Vishnu himself had taken Avatar of Vamana and was testing his ability.

Mahabali, who was a man of principles, realized God's purpose and offered his head for Vamana's footstep, as he was sent to another world. This fatal step proved a blessing in disguise for the good king — the foot salvaged and released him from the recurrent cycle of birth and death. That is why Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes and resolving to lead a new life of truth, piety, love, and humility.

ONMA CELEBRATIONS

At Aranmulla, where there is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna, thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pamba to witness the exciting Snake Boat races. Nearly 30 chundan vallams or snake boats participate in the festival. Owned by villages bordering the river from the hills to the low lying plains- a stretch of about 40 kilometres - these boats are steered by oarsmen dressed in white dhotis and turbans.

Onam Celebrations

Singing traditional boat songs, the oarsmen splash their oars into the water to the rhythm of the songs. They guide their boats to cruise along, seemingly like a fish on the move. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the centre make it a spectacular show of pageantry. Though ostensibly a competitive event, the festival is more a visual extravaganza.

To date on the eve of Thiru Onam the boat Palliodam floats down from Katoormana to the accompaniment of blowing of conch shells, music and drum beating. Torches are lit and snake boats accompany the procession. The colourful boat festival is held on Uthruttathi or the fifth day after Thiru Onam.

Each snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the river Pamba and is worshipped like a deity. Only men are allowed to board or even touch a boat and that just barefoot. Every year the boat is oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs. The black mixture keeps the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. Annual repairs are carried out lovingly by the village carpenter and people take pride in their boat, which represents their village and is named after it.

Tradition demands that the Nambudiri Brahmin be at the main rudder oar about 12 feet long. There are four main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat. And in minutes the boat can turn around just by the twist of the hand by the chief oarsman. In the old days the villagers used to sit in the boat in order of their castes but today the order is changing though a certain pattern can still be distinguished.

Everyone- the carpenter, the barber, the goldsmith, the blacksmith as well as the agricultural labourers - all have a place on the boat. And in close harmony and magnificent synchronization they pull at the oars. In Trichur, a vibrant procession with resplendently caparisoned elephants is taken out.

RITUALS OF ONAM

Onam is a festival of festive celebrations. New clothes are bought on this day and people indulge themselves in dances and sports. The number of days of the festival range from four to ten days, depending on the region. The children and the youth join in the mirth of the season and set about collecting flowers early morning to decorate the yards of their houses for the ten days of the festival, starting from Atham to Thiruvonam. The native flower carpet known as 'onapookalam' is the highlight of these decorations and there are specifications of the type of flowers to be used on each day of the festival. Today the artistic and skilful decoration of the traditional 'pookkalams' is being lost into obscurity.

On the day of Utradam, ninth day since the beginning of the festival, houses are well cleaned and decorated and gala feasts are arranged. Then the images of deities and cones made up of sticky clay painted red are placed there. They are known as 'Trikkakara Appan'. These images are adorned with lines tastefully drawn with rice flour mixed with water and then they are worshipped. After the 'puja', the male members raise loud rhythmic shouts of joy known as 'Aarppu Vilikkukal'.

The next day is the main day of Onam where new clothes are given as presents followed by a grand feast. On the ninth day, tenants of the family, dependants and hangers-on present the fruits of their labour, such as vegetables and coconut oil to 'Karanavar', the eldest member of the Tarawad in a ritual called 'Onakazhcha'. In return, they are treated with a sumptuous feast on the main day of Onam. It is also customary for the village artisans to present the Karanavar of each Nayar Tarawad, a specimen of his handiwork in return of the presents of cloth or rice.

TEN DAYS OF ONAM FESTIVAL

The festival of Onam is celebrated for duration of 10 days, with each day having its own importance and festivities associated with it. The first day and the last day of the festival have special significance. Specially the people of kerela wait for these 10 days throughout the year.

1. Atham: Being the first day of the festival it has great significance to it. People start the day with early bath, prayers and a fixed menu of breakfast. One importane feature of this day is people start to craft Pookalam, also called Athapoo,which is a floral mat, prepared with fresh flowers, to welcome the spirit of Holy king Mahabali.

2. Chithira: People start day with offering prayers. Boys of the house have the job of arranging fresh flowers and girls try and decorate athapoo. Also, various discussions amongst adults start on this day.

3. Chodhi: Although no set ritual exists for the third day, people and specially ladies engage themselves in a spree of shopping for new clothes, and gifts.

4. Visakam: Active participation is see from all the members of the family , with mothers generally engaged in making pickles and papads, girls decorating the Athapoo, and spree of shopping continues.

5. Anizham:The main attraction of the day remains the famous Boat race called Vallamkali, Many traditionally decorated boats are seen participating on the banks of river Pumba.

6. Thriketa: This day is seen as a day of get-togethers and cultural programes.

7. Moolam: The Athapoo, is made into a new form with kondattam (gaiety) on it.

8. Pooradam: Poorada Uttigal, clay idols are made on this day, called Ma.

9. Uthradam: This day sees a public holiday, and is also called as the first Onam. People feel elated to welcome the spirit of King mahabali.

10. Thiru Onam: The last day of Onam is also termed as Second onam. Onaashmsakal, "To everyone, Onam Wishes" chanting is heard all through the state. People take early bath, offer prayers and wear new clothes. There are many dances, games, activities observed throughout the day.

ONAM SADHYA

Onam Sadhya refers to the grand and delicious meal that is served on the day of Onam. The meal is very special not because it is served on Onam, but, also because there is a fixed pattern and place for every recipe of the menu on the banana leaf. The size of all banana leaves is identical. People sit in long straight rows to consume this hugely delicious meal called Onam sandhya.

The significance of this meal is that as people believe that king Mahabali’s spirit visits the town of Kerela on this day, they want him to be happy of the fact that they are enjoying the same happiness and prosperity as in his reign.

What it comprises?

Comprises of different varieties of curries, upperies - things fried in oil, pappadams which are round crisp flour paste cakes of peculiar make, uppilittathu - pickles of various kinds, chammanthi - the chutney, payasams and prathamans or puddings of various descriptions. Fruits and digestives are also part of the meal.

How is it served?

As there is a particular order for every dish to be placed on the leaf. Starting from the right pappad - salt, banana wafers, sarkarapuratti fries, ginger lime and mango pickles are served. Next comes 'vellarika', 'pavakka', beetroot and 'ullikitchadi'. 'Kitchadi' made of pineapple and banana splits or of grapes and apple is served along with this. On the right, 'cabbage thoran' is served.

Then comes a thoran made of beans and avil followed by bread and green peas mix 'thoran'. The meal will be complete with the 'avial' and 'kootu curry'.

ONAM DANCES

As the people of Kerala, celebrate this festival of Onam for a period of 10 days, starting from the first day called atham, till the last day of the festival called Thiru Onam, the natives of Kerela perform different cultural activities including traditional dances like Kaikottikali and thumbi, Traditional music and songs called Onappattuu.Some of the famous Traditional dances are:

Kumatti kali: Also popularly known as the “Mask dance”, artists clad a specially crafted mask made of saprophyte, jack fruit tree, Alstonia Scholaris, Hog Plum tree or the Coral tree. These artists then move to different houses and receive gifts from them. The main attraction being the masks represent Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika or hunters faces. Onavillu is the instrument that is used to play music for this act. People take great interest and are amused with the uniqueness this dance form offers every time.

Thumbi Thullal: While the men in Kerela engage themselves in energetic sports, women on the other hand, participate in Thumbi Thullal.They clad themselves up in the best sarees, jewellary and appearance. The dance form in performed in groups and formations of circle, wherein the lead singer initiates a couplet every time that is followed by the rest.

Kaikotti kali: Also popularly termed as Thiruvathirakali, this dance is a very elegant and a form full of poise and grace. Basically a group women dance, sometimes men also participate in it. The dance is dominantly performed in a circular formation. In this dance young girls and kids also participate. Hussaini, Bhairavi and Kamboji is the popular Ragas Played in this dance.

Kathakali: Literally it means a dance form with encapsulation of drama and stories into it. It is often termed as “A complete thetre”. Sahithyam (literature), Sangeetham (music), Chithram (painting), Natyam (acting) and Nritham (dance), constitute the 5 basic elements of kathakali. The dance forms are predominantly the use of gestures and poses to express different expressions.

Pulikali: The main theme of this dance form is “tiger hunting”, and that’s the area covered by dancers. To depict this theme well artists clad themselves with yellow paints and strips of red and black. This appearance takes lot of time and artists put the entire night in Make-up.

ONAM GAMES

Onam is not only the most popular festival of Kerela, its soul rests on acts of bravery. As the people of Kerela make lavish display of their talents and culture, the Men folk is commonly seen playing games that include acts of bravery. The most famous games commonly encountered are:

Onakalikal

It is a common name for all the games that are played during the festival of Onam over a period of ten-days. The sports are energy-oriented and are generally played by Men.

Talappanthukali

This game involves a ball, and is played in groups.

Kayyankali

This game is totally based on strength, and is a one to one fight between Men. This sport is immensely popular and huge crowd of spectators view and enjoy this wrestling sort of fight.

Attakalam Kayyankali being a one on one fight and that too a rough one, attakalam is also a fight but in groups and less severe.

KutuKutu: KutuKutu is a game similar in many ways to the popular game of Kabaddi, yet it involves much higher strength, will, zeal, patience, tactics, and skill set.

ONAM SONGS

Onam festival is celebrated with lots of dance, music and fun oriented activities. Different forms of dance have their own traditional songs collectively termed as “Onappattu”.

One of the popular songs that highlights the contribution of king Mahabali is:

When Mahabali ruled the land

Everyone was equal

Happily they lived

Danger befell none

There was no falsehood, or fraud

And no untruth.'

Thumbi Thullal Song

"Onnam thumbiyum oru pattam makkalum

koode para para thumbi thullu...

thumbi erumballa, chemballa, odalla...

thumbicku orumani ponmaala.. "

"Entha thumbi... thullathe.. poovu poranjo, pookudam poranjo ?

entha thumbi thullathe ? "

"randam thumbiyum oru pattam makkalum...

IMPORTANCE OF ONAM

Onam, also called the harvest festival of Kerala, is one of the most important festivals for the people of Kerala. Onam is one festival that crosses the boundaries of religion and is celebrated in a very secular manner, as people from all communities can be seen participating in Onam celebrations.

Onam is a 10 day festival, which includes different ceremonies and customs for all the days. The first day called Atham and the tenth day called Thiru Onam are the most important days of all.

Onam is celebrated in a grand manner, which showcases true Indian culture. Days and months before the festival of Onam preparations start in full swing and continue till the last day.

Major attractions of Onam are:

Onamsadya: It is a 9 course meal that is served on a banana leaf with a fixed menu, served in a fixed manner.

Snake Boat race: It is a very popular sport performed by men in Kerala, especially on the festival of Onam. Different boats are decorated for this purpose and a fast paced race is carried out on Onam.

Onakalikal: All the games performed on Onam are together called Onakalikal. These sports are physically challenging, and are traditionally performed by men.

Dances: While men engage themselves in games, women folk generally indulge in performing different dance forms in a group.

Although Onam is very important to the people of Kerala, its significance comes from 2 main reasons, one of which relates to past history and second is related to the time of occurrence:

Historical significance: The people of Kerala strongly worship the holy king Mahabali, in whose reign, the state of Kerala was supposed to prosper and glorify.

Chingam: The month of Chingam according to Malayalam calendar is the last month of the calendar and marks the start of monsoons and good harvest.

TIME OF ONAM CELEBRATION

Onam is a very important festival in the Malyalam calendar. It is celebrated in the first month of Malayalam calendar called Chingam. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls in the sixth month of Bhadrapad.

Onam is a ten day festival, called the harvest festival, with its first and last days being the most significant.

The atham star that is 10 days behind of Onam. From Atham onwards the Onam pookalam will start and ends on Onam day.

Malayalam calendar: It is celebrated in the first month of Malayalam Calender, called Chingam.

Gregorian Calendar: falls in August –September.

Hindu calendar: It falls in the month of Bhadrapada or Bhadon.