PEACE

Peace

There are only two forces in the world. The sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit. The great warrior napoleon Bonaparte’s words remind us once again the importance of peace and good will.
Peace is a word, concept that is becoming a rarity in many parts of the world today. Peace initiates harmony and understanding for each other. This gives an opportunity to make peace in ones relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. The effort by all those working towards maintaining and ushering in peace and communal harmony should be aimed at empowering peace and communal harmony by enlightening individual lives. Only then the indifferences of caste, creed and economic difference can be banished. And this bring to the mind the words of Winston Churchill—if the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another. Let us pledge to do more, where ever we are in whatever way we can, to make everyday a day of peace.

ONAPATTUKAL, SONGS

Onapattukal

A lot of folk songs are prevalent in the category of onapattukal. Most of them describe the rituals, ceremonies and pastimes of onam. In one of the songs it is described that during the reign of maveli, people were equal and never even spoke a lie. The belief that maveli visits kerala on thiruvonam day is described here. People wish to receive maveli with grandeur and do the needful for that. They make pookkalam (decorating figure with varicolored flowers) in front of their houses.

THE MYTH OF ONAM

The myth of onam.

Mahabali was an asura king who ruled over the land. Feeling jealous of the king, indra requested Vishnu and consequently took the incarnation of vamana and requested maveli three measured feet of land. Maveli readily accepted the request. Two feet was sufficient to measure the entire land and the third foot was placed on the head of mahabali. The mahabali was sent to pathala and he was allowed to visit his subjects thiruvonam day of the first Malayalam month every year.

Onakkali.

Onakkali.

There are a lot of pastimes connected with onam. Variations are found according to the age and gender of the persons. Girls often indulge in plays like kaikottikali, kolattam, thumbi thullal etc. kaduvakali, korathiyattam, vattakkali, onathallu etc. are the past time of men. Kumattikkali is also famous in some areas. It is performed in the accompaniment of drum. They use artistically designed marks. They cover all over their bodies with a type of grass. In kummattikkali, mother Kummatti, Srikrishna, Siva, kirathan, Darikan, Naradan, Mahabali, Bali, Sugreevan, Vishnu etc are presented. The performers visit houses singling funny songs and they get gifts from the house owner.

Onavillu

Onavillu

Chingam is the month in which lord Sreekrishna was born, in Hindu houses importance is given to the month itself. A pot full of water is kept in one room of the house which is representing nirakudam ( a full water pot)besides a white double cloth, krishnapattu ( a verse written by the poet cherusseri) a bow made of bamboo is also kept. It represents Onavillu. Lord Sreekrshna in his child’s dress plays with a bow might be the belief behind this. The outer layer of palm or areca nut palm is used for making the bow.

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.

CELEBRATION

Celebration

Years passed,
Springs, festivals and emotions….things are now nostalgic

Perhaps the one form of rejoicing that has always found open acceptance in a society is celebration. Life with out celebrations is meaningless. Society without festivals and celebrations becomes insipid. Since time immemorial festivals have become a part of our culture. Festivals light up all our senses and serve an important function of bringing together all and reminding us of our roots and origin. Kerala, a land of festivals, is known all over the world for its enchanting beauty, traditions and celebrations.