Today is the Malayalam new year, Vishu as its popularly called. This prompted me to write a small review about the festivals in India. When I started writing, I realized that there are thousands of festivals celebrated in India and I feel that 8000 Char’s are no way sufficient to describe or even mention all of them. Thought of sharing two Mallu festivals that I can write something about.
Vishu
Vishu is the Malayalam New Year. People in the state usher in the New Year by bursting crackers, wearing new clothes and giving money to the young ones. Of course, as a kid the most important activity was to go my elders and ask them to give me Vishu Kaineetham which may vary based on the mood and the financial well being of the person who is giving it. As a child, I could spend the Vishu Kaineetham, or the money given by elders in any way I please, I used to spend them mostly on Bubble Gum :-)
The day starts off with Vishu Kani, a custom that makes us believe that the first thing you see this day will influence your next year. Typically, the women in the house get up early, (early means at around 4 am) and decorate the prayer room (in many cases its a small cupboard) with flowers and candles etc. They wake up other people in the house, and while requesting them to keep their eyes shut, guide them to the prayer area, so that they see the gods first thing in the morning :-). I always wonder, what did my mother used to ’see’, as always she would be wide awake, and would lead me to the prayer room as early as 3:45-4 in the morning. Didn’t she ever felt that someone else to do this for her so that her next year is good as well?
The house would be swarming with relatives; typically this is also an excuse for people to get-together. There used to be at least 20-30 people in my ancestral home, when I was young. I still remember the women gossiping, men discussing politics and kids jumping around, cos they are happy to meet the first and second cousins (probably, for the first time).
The next important activity would be the feast, where and all the people sit and have a sumptuous meal, with Payasam (I don’t what to call it in English, sweet porridge?? Satya help) as desert. The people leave to their homes, normally to different cities or states or even countries starting the next day.
Onam
The next important festival for Mallus would be Onam, which is some sort of a Harvest Festival. There is a story behind Onam though.
Long back, Kerala was ruled by the Demon King, Mahabali. Mahabali was a efficient and popular ruler.His was loved by all. His kingdom streched the earth, the Patalam or Underground and was threatening the skies. The ruler of the Heaven, Indra got frightened of Mahabali’s Popularity and might, and approached Lord Vishu. Vishnu came to this mortal world as a (Vamanan)Brahmin (this is one of the Avatar’s of Lord Vishnu) and went to Mahabali and asked for 3 steps (ie he would take 3 steps, and all the land he can cover with 3 steps would be his).Mahabali agreed. With the first step, he took entire Earth, with the next the underground or patalam, and there was no where he could put his third step, Mahabali being true to his word, asked Vamana to keep the third foot on his head, and hence Mahabali was pushed into the earth. Mahabali requested Vamana to grant him a boon where by he can come and visit his homeland, kerala at least once a year, and as legend goes, he comes to visit his people and land during Onam
Even now people sing the a song which goes like this, Mahabali Naadu Vazhirunua Kallam, Manusharalam onnu polle(When Mahabali was the ruler of the land, all people were equal).
The most important thing about Onam are the Ona Kodi, ie the new dress that you wear on this day and Ona Sadya, a feast that is more elaborate then the one done during Vishu. There are no bursting of crackers though, and only a visit to the temple happens. Young children look forward for onam cos they get something nice to wear, and they get a lot of new dresses in one shot!!
During Onam, people decorate the front of their home with Pookalam, ie, a drawing made out of flowers. Young kids go round the neighborhood scavenging what ever flowers they can get, and sit together and satisfy their creative mind by drawing something interesting and decorating the same with flowers. Almost everywhere (particularly in Educational Institutions), people conduct Pookalam Competitions, where in the most elaborate and interesting design gets the prize. Even, in Chennai, they conduct this competition during Onam.
My Feelings
As a kid, I used to prefer Vishu to Onam, cos the significance of the festival didn’t matter, what mattered was the Money I used to get and a great chance to burst as many fire crackers as possible.
There is a get-together of family members during Onam as well, as far as my family is concerned, its a mandate to meet each other either during Vishu or Onam(August 21st this year). I missed this Vishu, (Am at Chennai typing this stupid review:-)) so I have to necessarily go home during Onam, finally these festivals and customs are in many ways responsible for keeping the family and relationships together in this fast moving world.
Rgds
Ranjith
Trivia : Malayalam is the language spoken in the southern Indian state of Kerala, it has the distinction of being the only language name which is a palindrome, ie read MALAYALAM from the left or the right its the same, this is mentioned in the Salman Rushidie’s book, The Moor’s Last Sigh