|
|
|
FESTIVITY |
|
A land of festive grandeur
|
|
Onam . Thiruvatira
.
Vishu . Diwali
|
|
Kerala is a land of rich cultural heritage manifested in the
myriad customs, festivals and ritual that run through the year.
The notable ones are as follows. UDS has a special treat for its
visitors staying at the month of January. The temple next door celebrates a colorful
annual festive season in January for a week, where the
traditional art forms and celebrity of Kerala can be watched.
|
|
Onam:
The harvest festival of Kerala, Onam, falls on Shravan day
in the month of August or September. After a lush harvest, Onam
is the time for the farmers to celebrate the bounties of nature
and make merry. Ten days of feasting, boat races, songs and
dance are part of the festivities. Pookalam or floral decoration
at the entrance of each house marks each day. Earthen mounds,
which look like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and
Vishnu are also placed in the dung-plastered courtyards. After
traditional prayers and worship, the head of the household
presents new clothes to the family and friends. This is followed
by a lavish feast.
|
|
|
|
Thiruvatira:
Thiruvatira is the women's festival of Kerala. It is celebrated
in the Malayalam month of Dhanu. The popular conception of this
festival is that it is the commemoration of the death of
Kamadevan; the cupid Indian mythology. Thiruvathirakali also
known as Kaikottikkali is a dance in which a group of women
dance in a circle around a lighted brass lamp. They are dancing
to the rhythms of the songs they sing. They wear the traditional
dress, consisting of two pieces, dhoti and an upper garment
across the breast and look elegant and sprightly for the game.
The leader of the group sings the first line which is repeated
by the group to the simple rhythm of clapping hands.
|
|
|
|
Vishu:
Falls on the first day of Malayalam month Medam (April), which
is the astronomical New Year Day when the sun crosses the
equator. Through Vishu is identified with the Hindus religious
beliefs, it is not in any way a religious festival. As per
popular belief, the first thing people see on Vishu, the 'Vishukkani',
is decisive to the year's prosperity.
Thus the 'Vishukkani' has over the years become a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves,
arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called
'uruli'. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside.
As Vishu ushers in a New Year dawn, people wake up to behold the ritualistic arrangement. Giving off handsel
(kaineettam) to the younger members of the family is part of the celebrations.
|
|
|
|
Diwali:
This is perhaps the most well-known of the Indian festivals: it
is celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities
throughout the Diaspora. It usually takes place eighteen days
after Dusshera. It is colloquially known as the "festival
of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil
lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in
courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and
outer walls. In urban areas, especially, candles are substituted
for diyas; and among the nouveau riche, neon lights are made to
substitute for candles. The celebration of the festival is
invariably accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the
explosion of fireworks.
|
|
|
^ Top
|
|
