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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Onam

Athapookalam with Onathappan
Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is a festival celebrated by the natives of Kerala, India.  It is also the state festival of Kerala. Onam Festival usually comes during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep). It is celebrated in remembrance of coming of mahabali. It is the harvest festival of Kerala.
Puli kali
The coming of the mythical King Mahabali who is considered as the King. It is one of the festivals celebrated with many number of cultural events. Some of them are include Vallam Kali, Pulikkali, Pookkalam, Onatthappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc.

Athapookkalam
Onam is an old festival which still survives in modern world too. It is Kerala's rice harvesting festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which come on the Malayalam month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's yearly visit from a place called Patalam  (the underworld). Onam is unique. Since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala from prehistory.The King was so much attached to his kingdom.
Onasadhya
 It is believed that he comes annually from the underworld to see his people living happily. It is in the memory of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The d Vamana, also called Onatthappan, is also remembered during this time by making a clay figure near to the floral carpet (Pookalam) .. 
Mahabali's time is considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung during Onam time:

Mahabali

Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam
kallapparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla

balamaranangal kelppanilla












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