The legend of Onam
August saw the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. That also signaled the beginning of the festival season right up until Christmas in December, let the festivities begin!
Thiru Onam or just Onam is the festival is popularly referred to is celebrated in the second half of August when the monsoon (in Kerala) comes to an end and the sweltering heat of summer makes way for a pleasant albeit balmy Kerala autumn.
Legend has it that Kerala was once ruled by King Mahabali. A true ruler of the people who would go to great lengths to ensure the welfare of his people. In his kingdom all were equal and there was no poverty .So much so that the gods themselves came to envy his popularity with his subjects which rivaled their own. Legend has it that the gods plotted against king Mahabali to end his reign. For this they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin (vamana avatar) to subdue Mahabali.
At that time king Mahabali was conducting a yagna and was giving away material possessions as charity. Vamana requested for a plot of land equal to three of his footsteps. The king conceded but vamana suddenly grew in size and in one step covered the earth and in the second the entire galaxy. There was no place left for the third step so king Mahabali humbly offered his head to place the third step on signifying his surrender to the lord.But before being trampled down to the netherworld, Vishnu granted the king's sole wish and that was to be able to visit his land and people once every year.
For Keralites Onam is the celebration of the return of Mahabali, their beloved king.
To welcome king Mahabali to their home people decorate their front porch with a “Pookalam” or
A flower carpet.This is similar to a rangoli except that this is made up of creatively arranged flower petals. Small mounds of earth are also placed in the courtyard representing Mahabali and Vishnu.A fair bit of rituals are performed and this is followed by a sumptuous feast called 'Saddhi' is served on plantain leaf and accompanied with ‘Payasam’ themain sweet dish.
Indian festivals are usually incomplete without any form of dance associated to it. Same is the case with Onam. Kaikottikali (literally meaning play by clapping of hands) is one such that is part and parcel of Onam. This dance celebrates a good harvest. Groups of women elegantly decked up in “mundu”(traditional white saree with gold borders) and ornamental flowers in their hair move rythemically in a circular form clapping each other's palms while encircling the pookalam.
Women, young and old, take part in this folk dance which signifies happines and thanksgiving. Though kaikottikali is not an essential ritual of Onam it is generally practiced and hence has come to lend itself as an onam ritual. Songs accompanying Kaikottkali are based on episodes and ancient Indian legends like Krishnaleela, Shakunthalam, Kuchelavritham, Dhruvacharithram and other popular folk tales. Unlike the more famous Bharatnatyam the emphasis is on rhythmic movements than on Bhaava or mudra. Kaikottikal is unique also due to the fact that the songs are sung by the participants themselves and the dance involves just simple steps in unison.
Another prominent attraction of Onam, is the boat race on the calm backwaters of Kerala. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful “Snake Boats” are characterized by their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra. Then there are the smaller and swift crafts adorned with gold tassels and silk umbrellas. These are showboats and not used to race.
Although Onam is festival with origins in Hindu mythology, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the poor, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is unique not only to this region but to this land where unity, diversity and tolerance have always coexisted since time immemorial.
August saw the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. That also signaled the beginning of the festival season right up until Christmas in December, let the festivities begin!
Thiru Onam or just Onam is the festival is popularly referred to is celebrated in the second half of August when the...
August saw the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. That also signaled the beginning of the festival season right up until Christmas in December, let the festivities begin!
Thiru Onam or just Onam is the festival is popularly referred to is celebrated in the second half of August when the monsoon (in Kerala) comes to an end and the sweltering heat of summer makes way for a pleasant albeit balmy Kerala autumn.
Legend has it that Kerala was once ruled by King Mahabali. A true ruler of the people who would go to great lengths to ensure the welfare of his people. In his kingdom all were equal and there was no poverty .So much so that the gods themselves came to envy his popularity with his subjects which rivaled their own. Legend has it that the gods plotted against king Mahabali to end his reign. For this they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin (vamana avatar) to subdue Mahabali.
At that time king Mahabali was conducting a yagna and was giving away material possessions as charity. Vamana requested for a plot of land equal to three of his footsteps. The king conceded but vamana suddenly grew in size and in one step covered the earth and in the second the entire galaxy. There was no place left for the third step so king Mahabali humbly offered his head to place the third step on signifying his surrender to the lord.But before being trampled down to the netherworld, Vishnu granted the king's sole wish and that was to be able to visit his land and people once every year.
For Keralites Onam is the celebration of the return of Mahabali, their beloved king.
To welcome king Mahabali to their home people decorate their front porch with a “Pookalam” or
A flower carpet.This is similar to a rangoli except that this is made up of creatively arranged flower petals. Small mounds of earth are also placed in the courtyard representing Mahabali and Vishnu.A fair bit of rituals are performed and this is followed by a sumptuous feast called 'Saddhi' is served on plantain leaf and accompanied with ‘Payasam’ themain sweet dish.
Indian festivals are usually incomplete without any form of dance associated to it. Same is the case with Onam. Kaikottikali (literally meaning play by clapping of hands) is one such that is part and parcel of Onam. This dance celebrates a good harvest. Groups of women elegantly decked up in “mundu”(traditional white saree with gold borders) and ornamental flowers in their hair move rythemically in a circular form clapping each other's palms while encircling the pookalam.
Women, young and old, take part in this folk dance which signifies happines and thanksgiving. Though kaikottikali is not an essential ritual of Onam it is generally practiced and hence has come to lend itself as an onam ritual. Songs accompanying Kaikottkali are based on episodes and ancient Indian legends like Krishnaleela, Shakunthalam, Kuchelavritham, Dhruvacharithram and other popular folk tales. Unlike the more famous Bharatnatyam the emphasis is on rhythmic movements than on Bhaava or mudra. Kaikottikal is unique also due to the fact that the songs are sung by the participants themselves and the dance involves just simple steps in unison.
Another prominent attraction of Onam, is the boat race on the calm backwaters of Kerala. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful “Snake Boats” are characterized by their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra. Then there are the smaller and swift crafts adorned with gold tassels and silk umbrellas. These are showboats and not used to race.
Although Onam is festival with origins in Hindu mythology, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the poor, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is unique not only to this region but to this land where unity, diversity and tolerance have always coexisted since time immemorial.
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