We the people from Kerala in South India proudly describe our land as ‘God’s Own Country.’
It is a land of great natural beauty that has cherished and preserved its rich cultural heritage, despite economic progress and social sophistication.
It is home to varied forms of festivals, art, music and dances that enchant and captivate everyone, irrespective of income, religious beliefs and other manmade barriers.
The Hamilton Malayalee Association, representing Malayalees in the Waikato region, celebrated Onam at the Hamilton Boys High School on September 3.
The festival highlighted the underlying rich cultural tradition of Kerala with a display of various dance forms (folk as well as classical), ‘Vallamkali,’ (Boat Race) ‘Kasarakali’ (fast moving militant dance), Tug of War, Lemon and Spoon Race for women and ‘Muttayi Perukkal’ for children and various other games that are popular in Kerala.
The celebrations began at 9 am with visitors admiring the “Pookalam” (Flower Carpet) designed by Priya Babu and her team, investing several hours of concentration and hard work.
Sajin Jose, a member of the Association was dressed as Mahabali, the legendary king of the Kerala, who is believed to visit his beloved subjects on Onam day.
This year, he had chosen to visit Hamilton, as he wanted to meet Malayalees in this small New Zealand City.
The ‘Tug of War’ was entertaining, as the participants fought to the cheer of the audience with each shout tightening their grips on the rope and making it harder for the other team. It was a pure show of skill and muscle power.
National Party Members of Parliament Tim McIndoe and David Bennett were eager participants in the Tug of War. They later addressed the gathering and gave away prizes to the winners.
A sumptuous ‘Onam Sadhya,’ the traditional Onam lunch, was served on a banana leaf as per Kerala custom for all guests.
Dilip Kurien is Secretary of the Hamilton Malayalee Association..
Auckland resident Husaini Ambavala wrote the following feature article that appeared in our August 15, 2005 issue:
Onam is a festival that finds the people of Kerala in a state of joy since it heralds a new era of prosperity.
Onam for Malayalees is Diwali is for North Indians, Ganpathi Festival for Maharashtrians and Baisakhi for Punjabis.
It is a festival commemorating the Golden rule and period of the Asura (Demon) King Mahabali.
During his regime, everyone was happy, no one locked their houses and there was no discrimination against anyone. People looked upon their King as saviour. He was their protector and benefactor.
His honesty and kindness become famous.
However, King Mahabali had one major weakness – ego.
The legend has it that Aditi (mother of Gods in heaven) was worried about the King’s growing influence over the people and the Gods, fearful of being overshadowed, asked Lord Vishnu to set right the King’s ego.
Lord Vishnu took the Avatar of a dwarfed Poor Brahmin (Vaman) and went to King Mahabali, who was performing a Yajna.
He asked the King for three feet (paces) of earth in his Kingdom.
Mahabali laughed at the dwarf and agreed.
Suddenly Vaman started growing in size. His one foot covered the entire earth, other foot the sky and he asked the King where to put the third foot.
Mahabali, known to honour his word, offered his head.
Vaman put his foot on the King’s head and Mahabali went under the earth.
The king realised that the dwarf was God.
He asked Vishnu for a boon; that he visits his land and his people once in a year.
The day of his return is marked as Onam.
This is therefore a Festival celebrated by everyone in Kerala, including Hindus, Muslims and Christians to welcome their favourite King.
Colour and fun
Traditionally, Malayali women make flower mats (Pookallam) and place them in front of their houses as a gesture of welcome to Mahabali. They compete with each other to determine who makes the best and most colourful flower mat.
Performers dance ‘Thiruvathira Kali Thumbi,’ along with other cultural items that are special to Kerala.
Among the highlights of the day is Onam Sadhya, a feast of vegetarian savoury and sweet dishes.
Keralites consider this feast so important that they spare no efforts to appease friends and associates in the community. An expression popularly used is ‘Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam,’ meaning organise the lunch even if you have to sell your house.
Onam has another significant factor. After three months of monsoon, the sky becomes clear, the forests turn deep green, the brooks and streams come live, and rivers and lakes overflow.
Onam celebrations begin within the first fortnight of the Malayalee New Year and go on for about ten days.
The last day is called ‘Thiruonam.’
The festivity of Onam is very famous all over the world.
People clean, repaint and decorate their homes and wear new clothes.
Kerala moves into a state of festivity during Onam.
Procession & Race
The spectacular procession of decorated Elephants in Thrissur (Trichur) is a unique phenomenon, attracting visitors from all over India and the world.
The other great feat is the Boat Race called ‘Vallamkali,’ held at Aranmalai and Kottayam. These are snake shaped narrow boats called “Chunduns”.
Each boat is oiled with fresh coconut oil and carbon, made slippery by egg yolks and painted in rainbow colours.
The boats are decorated with colourful umbrellas, the dips and flash of the oars at the rhythm of drums creates a strange serenity and music.
Each boat is named after a village along the bank of the river and is made by respective villagers.
Men and Women in resplendent, brilliant and beautiful costumes, re-enact the well-loved stories of the epic heroes and virtuous women.
Dances are performed in the open with the backdrop of lush green pasture throughout the ten-day period.
