Onam, the most colourful and much awaited festival of
Kerala, has transformed over the years. It has come of age with the changing
times. Malayalis from different walks of life goes nostalgic as they share their most vivid memories of Onam
Deepa Srijit,
Homemaker
“What I miss the most about yesteryears Onam is the flower picking for pookkalam and the Onam games like pulikali and thiruvathirakali. It used to be fun going around the neighbourhood, picking flowers for the floral carpet. We used to put pookkalam from atham upto thiruvonam, which is rare now. Children dressed as puli for pulikali, visited every house, which is totally missing now. Family bonding has also reduced as most people now live in flats and it’s instant Onam everywhere. However, I still ensure that a grand Onam Sadhya is prepared and give onakodi to our nearest relatives.”
“What I miss the most about yesteryears Onam is the flower picking for pookkalam and the Onam games like pulikali and thiruvathirakali. It used to be fun going around the neighbourhood, picking flowers for the floral carpet. We used to put pookkalam from atham upto thiruvonam, which is rare now. Children dressed as puli for pulikali, visited every house, which is totally missing now. Family bonding has also reduced as most people now live in flats and it’s instant Onam everywhere. However, I still ensure that a grand Onam Sadhya is prepared and give onakodi to our nearest relatives.”
Bhadran,
Retired police official
“Onam holds such nostalgic memories, as Onam celebrations in my hometown in Kollam, is quite different from the rest of Kerala. Way back in the 70’s, kite flying used to be a popular sport during Onam, wherein we used to make huge kites which was so heavy that it needed at least 3-4 people to simply carry it! Stealing flowers from the neighbourhood for pookkalam, preparing all the Sadhya items at home etc. is missing now. In our part of Kerala, we even eat non-vegetarian food like chicken and mutton for second Onam, which is a rarity now.”
“Onam holds such nostalgic memories, as Onam celebrations in my hometown in Kollam, is quite different from the rest of Kerala. Way back in the 70’s, kite flying used to be a popular sport during Onam, wherein we used to make huge kites which was so heavy that it needed at least 3-4 people to simply carry it! Stealing flowers from the neighbourhood for pookkalam, preparing all the Sadhya items at home etc. is missing now. In our part of Kerala, we even eat non-vegetarian food like chicken and mutton for second Onam, which is a rarity now.”
Gopika
Murthy, Student
“As a student, I enjoy celebrating Onam in college every year by wearing the traditional Kerala saree and taking part in various cultural events including pookkalam making competition. But, nothing like the atha pookkalam we used to put at home as a kid, which has become a thing of the past now. Also, relatives and loved ones are too occupied these days with their busy life for a family union. The old charm and festiveness of Onam is also missing these days.”
“As a student, I enjoy celebrating Onam in college every year by wearing the traditional Kerala saree and taking part in various cultural events including pookkalam making competition. But, nothing like the atha pookkalam we used to put at home as a kid, which has become a thing of the past now. Also, relatives and loved ones are too occupied these days with their busy life for a family union. The old charm and festiveness of Onam is also missing these days.”
No comments:
Post a Comment