ONAM, FESTIVAL SEASON IN KERALA

The drumming of the rain on the window panes is incessant. Do I imagine it, or is it saying something… look at the color of the leaves, the grains of dust running in liquid swirls down the veins, the cemented roads are broken into submission by indifferent footfalls. Somewhere else down south, the soil awakens to the familiar sounds of temple bells chiming, the notes of bird song, the fragrances of moist rich earth and harvested paddy... Onam is in the air….

Onam, the vibrant and colorful harvest festival, is celebrated with great vigor and enthusiasm by all Malayalis. It is an indicator of the rich and glorious past. It becomes a reason for celebration and an occasion for a family reunion among keralities all over the world.
Onam is the state festival of kerala. From time immemorial, the festival has been prevailing in the community. The myth related to the kerala king Mahabali and the annual visit of mahabali from the other world to see his subjects are propagated as the origin of onam. Onam is during the sunny days after rainy season.Onam is the biggest festival of the malayali community. In onam a philosophy is developed in which people love each other and a collective life through onakkali, onappookalum and the onam feast. Onam is all about togetherness.onam represents a world view we have lost. A radical perspective of the races and their characteristics.Onam symbolizes a time when gods and demons were judged by their deeds and not by their creeds.

A sumptuous feast is the characteristic feature of onam. Even today this practice exists. Presenting new dress to dear ones is also a custom.Onam is during the sunny days after rainy season. After the kallakarkidaka, it is the turn of chingam. After metavishu the rain comes slowly. During karkadakam the fields begin to show seedlings and happiness enters the minds of the farmers. They take a few katir (spike of rice corn) on an auspicious time and decorate their houses with them. It is called nira .In temples too the katir is presented and after worship, these are distributed among the people. It is the symbolic co operation and happiness in the society.Onam is heralded as a harvest season with feasting, boat racing, singing and dancing.