Onam Bliss

“Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam, manusharellarum onnupole”.....

Hello my lovelies! First of all, Ellavarkum ente hridayam niranja Onashamsakal/Happy Onam everyone! I hope you've all had a very festive Onam filled with happiness & prosperity!

Onam 2014

So, I'm sure there are a number of you wondering, "what on earth is Onam?”…..

Well, we’ll get to that very soon, so do keep reading!

However, how can an Onam post be any good without some good music...? For those who didn’t know, music plays a very BIG part in our Malayalee people’s lives. So, without further ado, I'd like to share with you all a very beautiful song 'Onakkalaam', composed by Mikku Kavil; sung by a group of very talented singers. Take a moment and listen to this soothing melody by Traffic Block!  

                                        Don’t forget to like, share & support their great work! 

So as you all probably know, India is a very diverse country filled with countless numbers of festivals and traditions. And Onam is one of Kerala’s largest festivals, celebrating the harvest season. Onam is celebrated all over Kerala and is considered a State Festival. 

Onam is celebrated by people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Onam is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chingam & Thiruvonam the 10th day, marks the annual visit of our mythical King, Mahabali.   

CMA Onam 2013 - Canberra's Mahabali

For those of you who don’t know the tale of King Mahabali’s exile into netherworld, here’s a quick summary. It’s believed that a King called Mahabali ruled Kerala 1000's of years ago. Mahabali was known to be a man of principles and values, his country became equal to heaven in all aspects, everybody was happy in his kingdom as there was no discrimination in the basis of caste or class. However, hearing about the growing popularity & fame of Mahabali, the devas' became very envious and jealous.

They felt threatened about their supremacy and complained to Maha Vishnu in order to get rid of the dilemma. Maha Vishnu came down to earth disguised as Vamanan a poor Brahmin and asked Mahabali for three foot of land. Mahabali being a king who never rejects any requests, allowed Vamanan to take three foot of land according to his wish.

Suddenly, Vamanan grew big and with his two feet, he had taken all steps Mahabali had given him. And since there was no place to get his third foot of land, Mahabali bowed down his own head for Vamanan to place his feet and Vamanan pushed Mahabali to the underworld.

Since Mahabali was a man of principles, Vamanan allowed Mahabali to ask for a single request and all he asked was to see his people once in a year. So, it is said that once in a  year, Mahabali comes to visit his people to see how they are doing and in memory of that Onam is celebrated. Every year on Onam day we welcome the spirit of Mahabali, and assure him that his people are happy.

PC :- Sreejith Soman Photography

So, Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar. Onam lasts for ten days and during each of these 10 days, households buy varieties of flowers and make flower carpets on their front porches.

Malayalam Mathrubhumi Calender - 2014

Thiruvonam is the tenth day of Onam Celebrations, the final day of Onam that brings the 10 day Onam festivities to an end. Thiruvonam was the day Mahabali was suppressed to underworld by Vamanan.

So, what’s so special about Onam, you ask?

Well, there is a lot more to Onam than it being just a festival, It’s a time that brings joy and celebration to the hearts of each and every individual. But Onam’s not just about all this there’s a lot more to experience, for example :-  

Pookalam

A flower carpet called 'Pookalam' is laid in front of every house to welcome Mahabali. The pookkalams are made up of several varieties of flowers. Usually placed either in the middle or in front of the pookalams are two earthen mounds, which look like square pyramids, representing Mahabali & Vamanan. However, it doesn’t finish there; Onam also means new clothes for everyone and mouth-watering homemade delicacies.

My small Pookalam

 Vallamkalli

Another main attraction of Onam, is the 'Vallamkali' or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula and Kottayam. Hundreds of men row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These Snake Boats used for the races are called 'Chundans', they’re named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra.

 Sreejith Soman Photography

Thiruvathira (Kaikottikali) & Pulikali

Thiruvathira kali is one of the main dances for Onam. It’s performed by group of women dressed in Tradition Kerala Saree who dance with rhythmic steps against thiruvathira songs.

Pulikali is a colourful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It’s performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvaakali, is a 200 year old art. Pulikali is the 'play of the tigers' hence the performance revolves around the theme of tiger hunting. 

Sreejith Soman Photography

Onsadhya

The exciting part of this day is definitely the food, no doubt. The Onasadhya is the grand feast which is prepared and served on Onam. Onasadhya’s are prepared on the last day of Onam, Thiruonam. It gives as much delight to the sight as it does to our taste buds!

Sadhya at home - 2013

The lunch consists of 20-plus dishes, eaten on banana leaves. This mouth-watering feast is an all vegetarian meal full of dishes that tickle will your taste buds. An Onam Sadhya is served on banana leaves with rice in the centre, and a bunch of accompaniments served on the side. The banana leaf is eventually filled with the a number of dishes – Papadam, Banana Chips, Naranga acharu, Sarkara varatti, Paruppu Curry, Sambar, Avial, Kalan, Olan, Pachhady, Erissery, Manga Curry, Kootucurry and more! The delicious meal ends with a generous serving of sweet payasams and ada pradhaman.  

Busy munching away..Yes, that's me in the orange!

The Onasadhya represents ancient wisdom about how we must eat – respecting nature and its seasons.  We sit on the floor lined up in single lines and the women serve each individual. After the food comes the mouth-watering dessert, payasam, an Indian delicacy. Then everyone gathers around the TV and watch movies. Ugh, all this food talk is making me extra hungry, ahh…I’m now eagerly waiting for next year’s sadhya! 

Sreejith Soman Photography

Before I end this post, I’ll take a moment to share my childhood nostalgia of Onam, back home in Kerala. As a child, I remember all us cousins coming home to our grandparents house. We'd all arrive a day or two prior two Onam. On Thiruvonam day, all of the adults and us cousins would gather at home and together prepare the big feast! Well the adults prepared the feast really, and we kids would sit around the table and gossip or play games. Anthakshari and cheetukalli were our main source of entertainment, man, those were some great time! Those were the real Onam days, there’s a huge difference in Onam celebrations we experience abroad compared to the colourful celebrations we have in Kerala.  We’ve all now grown up and gone our separate ways, everything’s changed now you see! Gosh, I can’t remember the last I celebrated Onam like that with all my family, I guess it’s been over 8 years now!  

Wherever we may be in the world, Onam is an occasion when memories of our childhood— our homes, cousins, parents, siblings/friends and hometown spontaneously spring  back and forth in our minds. Ahhh....eagerly waiting for next year’s Onam!.... 

 Sreejith Soman Photography

Until next time,

take care!

                        “Oru jathi, Oru matham, Oru daivam manushyanu”