ONAM The National Festival of Kerala

A legend of Kerala is about the sweet memories of a period of peace and prosperity in the distant pas when Mahabali, a celebrated emperor of the Asuras, was supposed to be ruling over this land. His period is believed a have been the golden age in the history of the country. A popular folk song narrates the glories of that period. When Maveli ruled, all men were equal, they were leading a life of happiness and nobody had any calamity- thus goes the song. There was neither dishonesty nor deception, nor was there any instance of false utterance, use of counterfeit measures or other kinds of unfair practice. Perfect harmony, communal and otherwise, prevailed. In short it was an ideal welfare state, the legend tells us.

But this golden age came to a tragic close when Mahabali was expelled from his kingdom by Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu. Thus by the designs of the jealous Gods, the glorious reign of the Asura emperor came to an end. But his greateful subjects, request that their former ruler might be permitted to visit the lance once a year, was granted. The time for his annual visit was in the first Malayalam month Chingom (August-September) and this occasion became one of jubilation throughout the land, reminiscent of the prosperous times of Mahabali.

Whatever be the truth behind this legend, Onam has for last several centuries been a grand national harvest festival in which all sections of the people participate with extreme jubilitation.

As has been mentioned earlier the festival falls in Chingom, the Malayalam month corresponding to August-September. The festival is supposed to begin from the lunar asterism Atham which falls ten days before the asterism Thiruvonam. The preparations for the celebration begin on the Atham day. The Thiruvonam is the most important day of the festival. In the front yard of the house Athapoovu (floral decoration) is made for ten days from Atham to Thiruvonam. The idol of Thrikkakkara Appan made of clay is placed in the middle of the floral decoration, clear example of the aesthetic sense of the Malayalees who do it with a sense of devotion.

On the Thiruvonam day every one bathes and offers worship in temples early in the morning. Then the gayest new garments are put on. Presents are distributed to the younger members of the family. Then follows the onam feast of delicious food served on plantain leaves. Members of families, staying far away from native places make it a point to visit their ancestral homes to celebrate the festival in the company of their kith and kin. Keralites celebrate onam by organising community feast, cultural programme, etc.

After the feast there will be sports and games, both indoor and outdoor, in which both men and women of all ages participate. Mock flight, ball games, card and chess play are the favorites of the men folk whereas women find pleasure in 'Oonjalattom, thumbithullah, Thiruvathirakali, Kaikottikali, etc. Boat races (regatta also form another item of onam festival which attract thousands of people including tourists from outside the state.

Of late, the state Government itself has taken the initiative to celebrate Onam season as tourist festival which the motive of attracting tourists. Various cultural forms, old and new, are presented in all important towns in the state during the festival.

OTTAPPALAM NERCHA FESTIVAL

Juma prayers are held in this mosque on Fridays. To commemorate the death anniversary of a saintly person by name Uthman Auliya an annual festival is held here on January-February. The special feature of this festival is the grand processions bringing ceremoniously various articles such as rice, coconut, etc to the mosque as offerings. On the next day a feast is held when the various articles received will be cooked and distributed to the poor and hungry.

PADAYANI AT Nilamperoor

The annual Padayani Utsavam of the Bhagavathikkavu at Nilamperoor, a village in the Kuttanad taluk on the precincts of Changanassery Muncipal town is a festival which symbolises and reflects the tradition and culture of a typical Kerala village. The Pdayani Utsavam is celebrated on a grand scale with Kolamkettu (making of effigies) and Kolamthullal (a kind of ritual dance performed by carrying the effigies). The chief kolams displayed are of Siva, Bhima, Ravana, elephants etc. The Utsavam spread over sixteen days beginning on the Thiruvonam day in Chingom (August-Setember) and coming to a closeon the Pooram asterism. The grandest festival, however, is on the pooram day, the sixteenth day following the commencement of the Utsavam. The next ritualistic act of the Utsavam is the Ezhunnellippuu (carrying the idol procession) of the kolams (deities), while small kolams are carried by people on shoulders, the big ones are ceremoniously taken on wheels. Firstly small swans are taken to the festival ground and then the big ones. In the bright flames of the burning fire, these swans would appear as though they are artistic pieces studded with precious gems. These effigies will be taken in procession amidst vociferous clamor and outcries from the multitudes assembled and with the beating of drums and other rejoicings. Grand Scale Pyrotechnics will also take place simultaneously heightening the tempo of the occasion. The kolams are brought before the kavu and after some rites they are kept in a corner of the kavu. This is what is known as Padayani. Subsequent to this, kolams of Bhima, Ravana and caparisoned elephants are brought in procession.

All the artisans of the locality co-operate in the making of these effigies for which they are allowed certain prerequisites.

THRISSUR POORAM

The most colourful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram, attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside.

Celebrated in Medom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighboring temples to the Vadakunnatha temple, Thrissur. The most impressive processions are those from the Krishna temple at Thiruvambadi and the Devi temple at Paramekkavu, both situated in the town itself. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state. The Pooram festivals is also well-known for the magnificent display of fireworks. It is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrisrival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissoor Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display of fireworks grander and more colourful. Each group is allowded to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols is done in the utmost secrecy by each party to excel the other. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.

Of the rival groups participating in the Pooram, the most important ones are those from Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. At the close of the Pooram both these groups enter the temple through the western gate and come out through the southern gate to array themselves, face to face, one from the round and other from the Municipal Office road. This spectacle is highly enchanting. Although this grand festival is known as Thrissur Pooram, it is in fact the conclusion of the eight-day Utsavam of nine temples.

The procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkunnatha Temple and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvelous as well as the magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of fiver percussion and wind instruments, is to be felt and enjoyed.