ONAM 2008

As the countdown begins for Onam, its exciting to think about a whole lot of events lined up for Onam by Kerala tourism and the government in Trivandrum. The KTDC office opposite the Museum would come out with colourful brochures with a listing of various programmes for atleast a week during Onam. A whole lot of very traditional programmes are planned, to revive dying dance art forms of the past. The processions and floats, on the day of commencement and conclusion are sights one shouldn't miss. Music concerts, ghazals, classical dances, traditonal art forms, kalari, theyyam, pulli kalli, Ottamthulal, kathakali, food stalls, there's a lot that would be happening. I have never seen such a huge congregation as there would be, during the Onam days, each year at the Kanakakunnu palace premises, Nishagandhi Open auditorium and Surykanti open air. There are special rides erected for children and adults. Chendamela and caparisoned elephants greet you at the entrance to Kanakakunnu. There would be a heavily make up clad and ornamentally dressed up Maveli as well who will pose with you or for you if you wish, for the camera. I look forward to the KTDC Onam programmes every year, as the events get better and better. Dance enthusiasts can revel in the magical performance of Shobana who would grace Chandrashekar Nair this Onam (sponsored by Rosebowl channel), with her ever captivating performance. Shobana being the neice of my daugther's bharatanatyam dance teacher, we chanced to meet ther in person when she visited Kuwait and visited my daugther's dance teacher. A charming and gorgeous Shobana interacted with all the dance students including my daughter. It was an exiciting and memorable event in the lives of the young dance aspirants. She is one of the most gifted and beautiful dancers in our country and an actress par excellence.

In Kuwait, the malayalee organizations would be gearing up to celebrate Onam with sadya on plaintain leaves specially flown in by flights for this occasion. My mind trails back to the days when Onam would be celebrated by Malayalis in Kuwait with the same fervor as they would here. Its same till today, with lots of programmes and games for children. Onam is quite commercialised now compared to my childhood days, when the celebration was a family affair. My children used to have a gala time during Onam peforming in various programmes and competitions on stage for their school as well as for various Malayalee organizations, participating in bhajans, dramas, dances and games for children.

The climax is a Ona Sadya with varities of vegetarian dishes served with rice, followed by 2 or 3 kinds of payasam. Ona sadyas are prepared by the ladies within the family. I see many a hotels here advertise Ona Sadya, which one could go and pick up or they would deliver the Ona Sadya to our home. After Ona sadya, one would have consumed sufficient food to feel full for the next few days! I usually look for a bed to snooze after a Ona sadya or if Iam in the middle of a function, I hope not fall asleep standing or sitting. Iam reminded of a message of Onam I heard in a speech made by a Principal of a school during one such celebration in Kuwait. The gentleman said, when we have had ona sadya, we are so full, we dont want to eat anymore. Infact there is no space for anything more. We are satisfied and content. The message being...similary, one has to find satisfaction and contentment in all aspects of our lives. Being a family celebration, it gives great importance of unity and togetherness, infact any celebration is meant to bring people and society together as one. HAPPY ONAM.