Onam, the most vibrant and colorful harvest festival of Kerala is all set to mark the season with a blend of tradition and modernity. The nostalgia of yesteryears virtues is observed with gaiety and charm.
Kozhikode is in a hectic run to tap the annual excitement. Various events are organized all over Calicut city.
Onam, over years has become a festive season for consumerism too. Markets are full-fledged with different kinds of offers to attract customers.
Textiles, readymade shops, home appliance and electronics outlets are crowded with buyers who look for new things and possible gifts during this festive offer.
The true components that comprise Onam are manifold. Flower carpet is one of the most important ingredients. Onakkodi (brand new clothes) also play a crucial role in Onam festival. Boat race, Pulikkali, Onappottan, Onasadhya, Oonjal, Mahabali, legendary stories of Vamana, Thrikkakkarappan, Dances, folk songs and other art varieties mark the festival in city and villages.
Onam for kids – a festival gala of flowers
Children have begun their flower carpets since the beginning of Atham, the first day of Onam festival. Tenth day of Atham is Thiruvonam, the most auspicious day of grandeur.
Kerala is in a shortage of flowers to meet the huge demand during this festive season. It is largely exported from neighboring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu just as the state depends these states for vegetables and fruits.
Special shops are opened exclusively for flowers during the season like cracker shops during the time of Vishu and Diwali.
School children in groups participated in flower carpet competition in their own school premises. Kids’ excitement had no limit while selecting flowers and purchasing it from specially opened stalls at Palayam in Kozhikode. Most of the students purchased flowers from city stalls while a group of students at Nadakkav Government Girls Highs School hunted indigenous traditional flowers and exhibited with a real Onam spirit.
Flowers are costly now, pricing rupees 150 to 250 per kilogram at temporary stalls.
Jamanthy, Jandumalli, Vadamalli, Ootty Rose ,Daliya,Chinthamani,Lotus and other varieties have come largely from Karnataka said Prabhakaran, the traditional flower merchant at Palayam.
‘We are selling flowers and garlands at normal price since we are permanent flower- sellers here. We can’t sell it in festive price as other temporary vendors do.” –he said.
Children of Veda Vyasa School, Malaparambu were in a hectic trip at one of the stalls here.
“We are engaged in class segment competition in our school. This is part of our group activity to contribute and make Onam celebration more colorful” they said.
Festive Feast
Payasamela is arranged by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation at Kidson Corner in Kozhikode.
Palada, Palpayasam, Ambalapuzha Special Palpayasam, Semiya and Pradhaman are the popular kinds among the mela. The range starts from 170 per liter for Palada. A cup of Payasam is sold at rupees twenty.
Payasam is also available in packets at Reliance outlets (rupees 110 per litre) and traditional hubs like Lakshmi Stores, Tali.
Some of the hotels in the city have organized Onasadhya.
Hotel Vinayaka at Tali offered the feast for 120 per head..
Curry House offers packed Onasadhya at rupees 140 per parcel.
Mezban restaurant at Asma tower delivered traditional sadhya at rupees 250 per head.
Hotel de Grand, Mavoor Road offered Sadhya at rupees 150per head.
Onam in and around Calicut city
Bharath Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched its products at attractive schemes.
The Department of Agriculture organized an Onam market exclusively for fruits and vegetables at Stadium Complex.
Kudumbashree workers arranged outlets throughout the city to sell their traditional products.
Hanveev and Hantex offered 20 percent rebate for items sold.
Onam Book Fair was also arranged in the city until the first day of Onam. Many cultural and art events added color to Onam celebrations.
Shops displayed traditional art forms like chenda melam along with floats related with Onam legends.
The city was crowded with street hawkers and thousand of buyers in spite of price hike related with transport and commodity price hike.
Sweet Meat Street witnessed huge crowd in spite of consistent shower over the last ten days.
Long queues were seen in front of Beverages Corporation Liquor outlets as ever for a record sale.
The DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council), is organizing a cultural extravaganza in tune with the festive mood.
Foreseeing the festive rush in the city, the traffic police had adopted adequate measures to effectively streamline the flow of vehicles.
This show the unremitting spirit of Keralites for celebrating Onam, (Kanam Vittum Onam Unnuka); amidst all kind of modern lifestyle.
Onappottan, the art and attraction of Kadathanad Onam
Onappottan is the rare folklore performance during the Onam day.
Northern part of Kozhikode is the centre of Onappottan, symbolizing the great old king Mahabali, who ruled Kerala in the old century.
Onapottan, with his traditional crown (thalakkuda) made of panayola (leave of palm tree) and red attire with a bell in his right hand visits every house in the village. A folk of kids follows him during his walk.
Mother in the house welcome the ‘king’ with lighted lamp (Nilavilakku) and offer him gifts in cash and kind. The ‘king’ blesses the community for a prosperous life throughout the year. Members of the Malaya tribe are engaged in this performance since decades. As modern way changes, local arts and sports clubs and other groups take part in this art form.
Onam has become a time of nostalgic celebration in gulf countries too where Keralites join in groups and organize various events, to celebrate Onam the Middle East way.
