ONAM- MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVAL OF KERALA

ONAM- MOST IMPORTANT

 FESTIVAL OF KERALA

Onam is the most important festival in the South Indian state of Kerala. It falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Onam is called the national festival of kerala Story tells that during the period of King Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Every body in the state was happy and prosperous and king was highly regarded by his subjects. But Mahabali was sent to another world by Vamana an incarnation of lord Vishnu because of gods envy on his popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted his wish to visit his land once in a year. The day which Mahabali visited kerala is celebrated as onam.

Onasadhya is the most delicious part of the grand festival called Onam. It is considered to be the most elaborate and grand meal prepared by any civilisation or cultures in the world. It's a feast which if enjoyed once is relished for years. Onasadhya is prepared on the last day of Onam, called Thiruonam. People of Kerala wish to depict that they are happy and prosperous to their dear King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. Legend goes that Mahabali who was so attached to his people that he requested Gods to allow him to visit Kerala every year.

Pookalam Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day-long Onam celebrations. 'Pookkalam' consists of two words, 'poov' meaning flower and 'kalam' means colour sketches on the ground. It is considered auspicious to prepare Pookalam, also known as 'Aththa-Poo' during the festival of Onam Vallamkali or the Snake Boat Race is the most enchanting facet of the festival of Onam. The event is promoted as a major tourist attraction of the state of Kerala and draws a large number of domestic and international tourists. Vallamkali has been going on for good number of years and its popularity is soaring with each passing year. Much credit for the success of Snake Boat Race can be attributed to Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who was so enamoured by this colourful event that he instituted a trophy for the race.

 Puli Kali also known as Kaduvakali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. On the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam), performers painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red, and black dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil.

Prof. John Kurakar