by Sushanthi Sugi |
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep”- Robert Forst
This line reminds me of Kerala. Yes!
Kerala is a paradise, famous for its greenery which allures us to experience the healing power of the greens. The green cover is simply captivating and the midst all around appears nothing less than warm and inviting. The constant chirping of the crickets and tweets of birds of vibrant colours enliven the surroundings.
Another thing that reminds us about Kerala is the Onam festival. Onam is celebrated at the end of the monsoon season. Anyone will be drawn to take part in these celebrations like,
and part of the celebration such as
also takes place.
1.Thripunithura Attachamayam
Every year, 10 days of Onam celebration start with a colourful spectacular fete Attachamayam. People celebrate the legendary victory of Kochi Raja, Mahabali by filling the day in the royal town, Thripunithura near Kochi with folk art forms, like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, percussions bands like Pandimelam and Panchavan, floats, a musical ensemble parade of caparisoned elephants pomp this festive.
The uniqueness of ‘Attachamayam’ festivities is ‘ the Parade’. It is a cultural extravaganza, which kickstarts the real celebration. Folk art forms such as Theyyam, Kummati, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, Ammankudam, Panchavadyam, and Chendamelam will be displayed in the parade. Traditionally, the rituals of these festivities commence with the representatives of the royal family hoisting the Anthem flag.
If you want to enjoy such a colourful dance form visit Kerala and take part in their festival with them together. People may perform the same art form in some other places too but experiencing it from its origin is something exquisite thing. Celebrate this season by grasping some traditional vibes. Visit Kerala this Onam and be a part of this celebration.
2. Pulikali
Pulikali means “Tiger dance” which is performed on the 4th day of the Onam celebration. It is another symbol of the Onam festival. ‘Puli’ refers to ‘tiger’ and ‘kali’ refers to ‘dance’ that is said to have been introduced by Cochin Maharaja who wanted to celebrate Onam, including those who wanted to celebrate Onam, including a dance to reflect the wild tiger and machos as the spirit of force.
The swaraj ground in Thrissur district plays to this carnival that has people appearing in various hues and masks, with the locals and visitors alike joining in on the revelry. The main theme of the folk art form is tiger hunting with dancers playing the role of tiger and hunter.
Thousands of well-trained Pulikali dancers used to perform this folk art form by painting their bodies with tiger faces using different colours like yellow, black, red, orange, and white and dancing to cope with the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil. The makeup for the same is applied using oil paints and is said to be extremely hard to remove. This is said to happen in Thrissur city which attracts many tourists from the state and the world to see the people assembling to perform this action.
3. Aranmula Snake Boat Race
Aranmula Snake Boat Race turns the festive more exciting and it is the oldest river boat festival in Kerala. This celebration of the Parthasarathy temple will be organized for two days. In ancient times, the king of Allepey who is known for fighting the battles in a boat suffered a great loss. To bring up a better architect he came up with the snake boat.
Over the years, more than a race it turned up as a ritual. This includes the participation of more than 25 boats, each 100- 125 ft long which holds 100 rowers, 15 helmsmen, and 25 singers. Each villager owes their boats as a symbol of pride. The atmosphere is exhilarating when these boats start moving to the finish line. The songs, as well as the shouts and cheers, fill the air. Watching the ornamentally decorated boats racing through the water is a visual treat. Finally, the joyous excitement of the crowd reaches its high water mark.
An amazing sport that is still happening in our country where you can find a group of people trying to compete with each other in a boat race.
Book the special festival package to enjoy seeing this visually.
4. Kummattikali (Mask dance)
Kummatikali is a ritual dance art form in Kerala, performed during Onam. This dance is related to Shaiva Myth and a notable character in the play is the Thalla(an old woman) who walks with the support of a stick. She is considered to be the mother of everything. Since the performers are holding a long stick which is made out of residuary agricultural produce, which is also known as, ‘Kummattikali’, therefore the name of the traditional dance form was derived from it.
The costumes of this dance are very fascinating. As they cover their body with adorning garbs made of grass, dry leaves, etc. They also cover their faces with heavily painted colourful wooden masks depicting the faces of Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika, or hunters.
These dancers perform moving from one house to another collecting small offerings and entertaining the people. Still surprising how such kinds of different traditional art forms are being performed every time during this festival season that too in one place.
5. Onathallu along with Onavillu
Onathallu is a martial art form performed only in some parts of Kerala. Hope most people have some idea about art. We would have even noticed in movies and songs. Kunnamkulam is considered the famous centre of Onathallu. It is also known as ‘Arittathallu’ or ‘Kayyaamkali’.
The speciality of Onathallu is that it is a bare-handed fight and so the combatants without using any weapons fight each other. It takes several years for one to learn this art form. This skill mainly tests the stamina and physical power of the combatants. Another important thing is, the person who participates in this event is dressed in Dhotis or plain white cloth. The wrestlers should have a flexible body so that it will help them win the game.
Onavilla is a bow-shaped musical instrument, in which ‘Ona’ refers to the ‘Onam’ festival and ‘villu’ refers to the ‘bow’. This is played along with Onathallu. Those bows are crafted and painted and are kept in the craftsman family deity’s altar for blessings. Then the next day this craftsmanship of Onavillu or the ceremonial bow is offered at Sree Padmanavhaswamy temple on Thiruvonam. Has no time to spare as time inches towards the day.
Today, in a changing world where no one is interested in perpetuating old customs, it is remarkable that Aranoor’s artisans still proudly maintain a tradition that has become their identity.
6. Thumbi Thullal (Women's dance)
Thumbi Thullal is also a part of the Onam festival where, dazzling women in their traditional attire, share their fun in a carefree zone by singing and dancing together. This dance form can be seen only in the rural area of Kerala. At least 6-7 girls take part in dance performances in general.
They get dressed in their finest sarees, Gorgeous jewellery, and fragrant gajras, a group of women sits in a circle formation to play Thumbi Thullal. The lead performer stands in the middle of the circle.
However we turn are march towards fashion or modernization, nothing can compete with the beauty of our tradition right. That's something within our blood and the truth we were born tradition.
Melodiously the lead singer initiates the song and the rest of them follow their lead in a chorus. This sequence continues song after song along with an energetic, charming clap dance in rhythm with the singing. If you are planning to celebrate the Onam festival, feel free to include folk dances like Thumbi Thullal.
7. Kazhcha Kula
Kazcha Kula is the offering presented during Onam. Most of the temples conduct Kazhcha Kula (offering a bunch of bananas)including Guruvayur temple. Even vegetables and other crops are also presented as an offering here.
This is the common tradition practised during Onam. Banana plantains are the most preferred offering by devotees. These bananas are used to make the Guruvayoor Pazha Pradhaman Payasam or ripe plantain Payasam for Thiruvonam.
8. Onapottan (costumes)
Onapottan is one of the very old and rare traditional art forms in Kerala. Wearing heavy, vibrant makeup and costume and signifying as the ‘King Mahabali’ coming home during the Uthradam and Thiruvonam days of the Onam festival. He walks with a bell in one hand and palm leaf in the other hand and gives his blessing to his ‘subjects’.
The most interesting element of the art form is that the Theyyam doesn’t speak and hence the name Onapottan refers to a dumb person in Malayalam. Onapottan is usually accompanied by his two other performers who play Chenda(drums) and Iratharam(cymbals) while singing songs that tell Mahabali more. Although there is a custom that Onapottan should not speak, the legend of King Mahabali is told by Onapottan’s outstanding performance.
This unusual art form is revered by the people of the country and is a very important ritual associated with the Onam festival. He also dances to the songs that narrate the origin of Mahabali and Onam.
9. Onam Sadya
Other than this you can also enjoy the Onam Sadya (feast). Onam sadya is a part of the celebration, where you can gorge on a sumptuous lunch. The festive special variety of food will be filled on the big banana leaf and Sadya can have around 24-30 different dishes served in a single course. The main ingredient is cooked rice served with side dishes that include Sambar, Rasam, Parippu curry, Kaalan, Pulisseri, Aviyal, Thoran, Pachchadi, Kichadi, Koottukari, Erissery, Pulinji, Moru curry, Pickles and also Papaadam, Plantain chips, Sharkara Upperi, Banana. After this, the traditional dessert known as Payasam is also served. This is a complete and seasonal vegetable.
Those who make preparations have a great time talking with each other while making the preparations. It is a true delicacy and one must have Sadyal at least once in their lifetime by visiting Kerala.
10. Onam Pookalam
Pookalam in which “Poo” refers to “flower” and “kalam” refers to “colours”.In order, to welcome the harvest and to commemorate the mystical King Mahabali, women make stunning Rangoli made with flowers in all their homes, workplaces, schools, and colleges. There is a belief among the people that King Mahabali’s spirit visits Kerala to see his people at the Onam festival.
In this 10-day Onam festival, each day represents pookalam, with only one flower on the first day, 2 different colours on the second day, and 10 different colours on the final day. There is also a belief that Pookalam defines the battle between Asuras and Devas. Also to capture the mood of the monsoon harvest season, people wear creamy, ivory, off-white, and golden attires to symbolize paddy fields and rice.
Altogether you can visit, and enjoy the quiet surrounding in the middle of the woods. The silence will drive you deep and haunting.
Listed above are the destinations which have to be prioritized first to visit for this Onam 2023. Travel and Tail The True Tales.
