padmanabha
26th August 2007, 08:17 AM
[tscii:74ca5cd42a]DEAR READERS
THIRUVONAM FALLS TOMORROW. HAPPY ONAM TO YOU ALL
Thiruvonam:
Nature is in her gayest attire. The violence of monsoon has abated. The incessant rain ceased. Trees and shrubs are in full bloom. The days are pleasant and colorful. Nights are starry and delightful. The farmers are happy, because harvesting has begun. They are celebrating Illam Nira and Putthari (see box) two festivals which herald the onset of Thiruvonam, the great national festival.
Illam Nira and Putthari:_ Illam Nira is filling the granary with freshly harvested paddy and the Putthari is consuming new rice. Kerala was once an agricultural country. Hence harvesting paddy was an occasion of rejoice.
Before the completion of harvest, when the ears of the corn are ripe the Nira was performed. At the threshold of the house, a basket full of harvested paddy is kept on the decorated ground. A member of the family after ritualistic bath brings the basket inside rendering “Illam Nira” (fill the house), “Kollam Nira”( fill the whole year), “Paththayam Nira”(fill the granary), “Vatti Nira Kotta Nira” (fill the basket), “Nira nira nira…”.
Certain pujas are performed and payasam already prepared from the freshly harvested rice is distributed among the participants.
Illam Nira and Putthari are performed on auspicious days before Thiruvonam.
Thiruvonam:- According to the legend, Onam is celebrated in commemoration of the reign of Mahabali an Asura King. He propitiated Brahma and held unlimited sway over Bharathavarsha. It was a period of peace, prosperity and plenty. Theft, robbery and other crimes were unknown. There was no bad season even.
Devas nurtured hatred, and jealousy towards Mahabali. They requested Vishnu and HE acceded to the request. He appeared as Vamana, in all glory. The King welcomed Vamana. He asked him what he wanted. The boy replied “just three feet of land”. Mahabali conceded the demand at once. The boy grew unassumingly huge and the whole of the land measured slightly less than three feet. For the rest, Vamana trod upon the head of Mahabali and pushed him to the infernal regions. Consequently, his subjects pleaded Vishnu. The Lord allowed the ex ruler to visit his subjects once a year. It was fixed as for Malayalam month Chingam on the asterism of Thiruvonam.
During the ten-day long festival, people decorate their houses to receive Mahabali. In the courtyard, they make floral carpets. They put on new clothes. It commences on the asterism Atham that falls ten days before Thiruvonam.
The children at dawn go in groups to collect flowers. On this pleasant errand, they sing songs, bring their colorful spoils, and decorate the floral carpet. Shoe flower, marigold, the yellow aster, scarlet button flower, common thakara (wild cassia), and oleander of all shades. The quickly perishable carpet is protected from direct Sun, by erecting a temporary roof, decorated with festoons.
The important part of the festival however begins on the eve of Uthradam. The houses are spruced up. They make all arrangements for the sumptuous feast. Even the poorest of the poor celebrate Onam. The tenants of family holding the land present before the Karanavar the fruits of their labor-called Thirumulkaazhcha.
On the day of Thiruvonam, after the ritualistic bath a conical figure of Thrukkakkara Appan is made from clay. The belief is that the festival began at Thrukkakkara. In those days of splendour, the festival lasted for 28 days.
Flowers are decorated around the idol of Thrukkakkarappan. They visit the temples near by. The head of the family distribute new clothes to the family members, dependents and others.
What follows next is the feast. In front of an oil lit lamp, a fresh plantain leaf is spread and all dishes are served. This is for Lord Ganesa, to partake. The family members relish the sumptuous feast. There will be several varieties of curries, pickles, sweets, payasams.
Post lunch sessions are meant for fun and frolic. The sedate ones prefer cards or dice. The younger and the robust indulge in merry making. They swing mad. Some engage in Thalapandu (head ball). An extensive open space forms the playground. Equality in strength and not in number is the rule. Hence, there will be a difference in the number of members. Kayyankali or combats and archery are other games.
Mirth and hilarity mark the life of the female members. The younger ones decked in their gayest and finest attire, wearing jewels spend the days in dancing and singing. It continues until the shades of evening fall and the festivals conclude. On the Chathayam day, at the auspicious hour the image of Thrukkakkarayappan is removed.
Recently, with the breaking up of the joint family system and the onslaught of Visual media, the celebration has attained different color. Children no more enjoy the thrill of gathering flowers. The market is flooded with flowers from Thovaalai and Madurai. Women no more labor in the kitchen. Ready-made mixes are available. In some places, people depend on catering services. After the feast, it is time for a siesta. People celebrate Onam along with the TV Channels.
[/tscii:74ca5cd42a]
THIRUVONAM FALLS TOMORROW. HAPPY ONAM TO YOU ALL
Thiruvonam:
Nature is in her gayest attire. The violence of monsoon has abated. The incessant rain ceased. Trees and shrubs are in full bloom. The days are pleasant and colorful. Nights are starry and delightful. The farmers are happy, because harvesting has begun. They are celebrating Illam Nira and Putthari (see box) two festivals which herald the onset of Thiruvonam, the great national festival.
Illam Nira and Putthari:_ Illam Nira is filling the granary with freshly harvested paddy and the Putthari is consuming new rice. Kerala was once an agricultural country. Hence harvesting paddy was an occasion of rejoice.
Before the completion of harvest, when the ears of the corn are ripe the Nira was performed. At the threshold of the house, a basket full of harvested paddy is kept on the decorated ground. A member of the family after ritualistic bath brings the basket inside rendering “Illam Nira” (fill the house), “Kollam Nira”( fill the whole year), “Paththayam Nira”(fill the granary), “Vatti Nira Kotta Nira” (fill the basket), “Nira nira nira…”.
Certain pujas are performed and payasam already prepared from the freshly harvested rice is distributed among the participants.
Illam Nira and Putthari are performed on auspicious days before Thiruvonam.
Thiruvonam:- According to the legend, Onam is celebrated in commemoration of the reign of Mahabali an Asura King. He propitiated Brahma and held unlimited sway over Bharathavarsha. It was a period of peace, prosperity and plenty. Theft, robbery and other crimes were unknown. There was no bad season even.
Devas nurtured hatred, and jealousy towards Mahabali. They requested Vishnu and HE acceded to the request. He appeared as Vamana, in all glory. The King welcomed Vamana. He asked him what he wanted. The boy replied “just three feet of land”. Mahabali conceded the demand at once. The boy grew unassumingly huge and the whole of the land measured slightly less than three feet. For the rest, Vamana trod upon the head of Mahabali and pushed him to the infernal regions. Consequently, his subjects pleaded Vishnu. The Lord allowed the ex ruler to visit his subjects once a year. It was fixed as for Malayalam month Chingam on the asterism of Thiruvonam.
During the ten-day long festival, people decorate their houses to receive Mahabali. In the courtyard, they make floral carpets. They put on new clothes. It commences on the asterism Atham that falls ten days before Thiruvonam.
The children at dawn go in groups to collect flowers. On this pleasant errand, they sing songs, bring their colorful spoils, and decorate the floral carpet. Shoe flower, marigold, the yellow aster, scarlet button flower, common thakara (wild cassia), and oleander of all shades. The quickly perishable carpet is protected from direct Sun, by erecting a temporary roof, decorated with festoons.
The important part of the festival however begins on the eve of Uthradam. The houses are spruced up. They make all arrangements for the sumptuous feast. Even the poorest of the poor celebrate Onam. The tenants of family holding the land present before the Karanavar the fruits of their labor-called Thirumulkaazhcha.
On the day of Thiruvonam, after the ritualistic bath a conical figure of Thrukkakkara Appan is made from clay. The belief is that the festival began at Thrukkakkara. In those days of splendour, the festival lasted for 28 days.
Flowers are decorated around the idol of Thrukkakkarappan. They visit the temples near by. The head of the family distribute new clothes to the family members, dependents and others.
What follows next is the feast. In front of an oil lit lamp, a fresh plantain leaf is spread and all dishes are served. This is for Lord Ganesa, to partake. The family members relish the sumptuous feast. There will be several varieties of curries, pickles, sweets, payasams.
Post lunch sessions are meant for fun and frolic. The sedate ones prefer cards or dice. The younger and the robust indulge in merry making. They swing mad. Some engage in Thalapandu (head ball). An extensive open space forms the playground. Equality in strength and not in number is the rule. Hence, there will be a difference in the number of members. Kayyankali or combats and archery are other games.
Mirth and hilarity mark the life of the female members. The younger ones decked in their gayest and finest attire, wearing jewels spend the days in dancing and singing. It continues until the shades of evening fall and the festivals conclude. On the Chathayam day, at the auspicious hour the image of Thrukkakkarayappan is removed.
Recently, with the breaking up of the joint family system and the onslaught of Visual media, the celebration has attained different color. Children no more enjoy the thrill of gathering flowers. The market is flooded with flowers from Thovaalai and Madurai. Women no more labor in the kitchen. Ready-made mixes are available. In some places, people depend on catering services. After the feast, it is time for a siesta. People celebrate Onam along with the TV Channels.
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