THIRUVONUM

THIRUVONAM – LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF KERALA

Blessed with verdant tropical climate, with green undulating hills and valleys, stunning sunny beaches fringed with green coconut palm groves rivers rivulets and backwaters lined with coconut, arecanut, mango, cashew and banana trees, no wonder Kerala enjoys the nick name GODS OWN COUNTRY. Yes, this gods own country was once ruled by a very pious king MAHABALI whom we Keralites endearingly and affectionately address as MAAVELI,

We Keralites do not like to say just ONAM but we are proud to call the day as THIRUVONUM the prefix THIRU is a sign of respect. The festival is basically a harvest festival stretching for 10 days.

Onam is celebrated in the month of CHINGAM the first month of Malayalam calendar which corresponds to the months of August-September of Gregorian calendar. Onam is celebrated by all Keralites irrespective of religion, cast and creed. It marks the return of king MAHABALI who visits his subjects once a year. This has a mythological story behind it. First, I shall recite a poem in Malayalam with its meaning. This poem in Malayalam was taught to us when I was in my THIRD GRADE in the school and MAHABALI is addressed as MAAVELI

Maveli Nadu vanidum kalam

(During the reign of king Mahabali)

Manushellarum onnupole

(All people are equal)

Aamadathode vasikkum kalam

(All are living happily)

Apathangarkum illathanum

(It appears nobody is exposed to dangers in life)

Kallavum illa poli chatiyum illa

(There is no robbery and deceitful talks)

Ellolum illa polivachanan

(People will not tell lies even to the extent of sesame grain).

Mahabali was an ASURA king with satvik and pious qualities which he inherited from his legendary grandfather PRAHLADA the devoted Vishnu bhakta. The jealous DEVAS unable to stand the popularity of Mahabali went and complained to Mahavishnu. Mahavishnu decided to resolve this issue and incarnated as VAMANA (DWARF) the fifth avatara, as a Brahmin boy and appeared in front of Mahabali. Seeing the brahmin boy Mahabali welcomed him and enquired what he wanted. Unhesitatingly Vamana said he wanted THREE feet of space. With great candour Mahabali agreed to Vamana’s request. Meanwhile Varmana’s size grew. He put one foot on the sky the second foot on the earth and enquired where will he place his third step. Mahabali immediately realized through his DIVYA DRISHTI (divine foresight) that it was Mahavishnu in the guise of Vamana had come to test him, requested Vamana to put his third step on his head. Vamana agreed to this and asked Mahabali whether he had any wish before he is pushed down to Pathala (the Nether world). Mahabali requested Vamana to allow him to visit his people once a year. Vamana agreed to this request and said he, Mahabali could visit his people when they enjoy bountiful harvest of food and fruits. This visit falls in the month of CHINGAM the first month of Malayalam New Year. This day of Mahabali’s visit to Kerala we call it as THIRUVONUM

This year in 2023 Onam will begin on ATHAM (zodiac) on Sunday August 20th and continue streaming through the zodiacs CHITRA, CHOTI, VISAKHAM, ANUSHAM,THRIKETTA,MOOLAM POORADAM UTHRADAM culminating in THIRUVONAM on Tuesday August 29th. Thiruvonum is considered to be the most important day of the festival panorama as it is believed that on this day the legendary Mahabali the son of VEEROCHANA and grandson of PRAHLADA returns to Kerala from the nether world to visit his people of Kerala.

During the ten-day period various activities take place. Important are arranging flowers in the front yard of the house known as POOKKALAM (flower arena).

Pookkalam. To arrange pookkalam loose petals of flowers and not full flowers are used

The flowers used for the pookkalam are

Champarathy (Hibiscus or shoe flower)

Champarathi (Hibiscus Shoe flower)

Chetti (flowers of the woods)

Chetti flowers (flowers of the woods)

Hanuman kireetam

(Red pagoda flower)

Jamanthi (Marigold)

Jamanthi (Marigold)

Kongini (Lantana)

Mandaram (Bauhinia acuminata)

Mukuthi (Biophytum sensitivum)

Sankhupushpam (Butterfly pea) also Clitoria ternatea

Thumba (Leucas aspera)

T

Tulasi holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Kaikottikali (Hand clapping dance by women)

Onam Kummatti kali (Onam Mask Dance) Kummatti kali is the famous colourful mask dance of Kerala. During the festival of Onam Kummattikali performers move from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people.

Onam Puli Kali (Onam Tiger Dance)

Onam Kalarippayattu (Onam Martial Arts)

Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat Race)

Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat) paddlers Sitting two to a row along the length of the boat, there will be 64 paddlers, representing 64 art forms or on special occasion 128 paddlers row in rhythm of the vanchipattu (boat song). There will be around 25 singers in a row at the middle between the paddlers.

The pinnacle of the festivities is ONAM SADHYA. Sadhya in Malayalam means Feast

When you count there are 26 items including rice which is depicted as CHORU in Malayalam. The sadhya takes place in the grand ancestral home called THARAVADU in Malayalam, in the presence great grand parents grand parents and parents and children.

Enjoy these dishes when you go to Kerala next time during ONAM festival.

Bon Appetit in French

Have a good appetite in English

Enjoy your meal in English

Sadhya unu nannayi kazhikku in Malayalam

My mother tongue is Tamil

My native tongue is Malayalam

Professor K.A.Balasubramanian

Ph.D. (IARI-NEW DELHI), Ph.D. (Imperial College London), DIC (Imperial College London)

Denver, Colorado