Malayali ONAM Festival (part 2 – Pookalam)

Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day-long Onam celebrations.

‘Pookhalam’ consists of two words, ‘poov’ meaning flower and ‘kalam’ means colour sketches on the ground. It is considered auspicious to prepare Pookalam, also known as ‘Aththa-Poo’ during the festival of Onam.

Making of a Pookalam
Kilo and kilos of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are the basic essential of an eye catching Pookkalam.

Athapoovu are usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves. Use of powder colours, desiccated coconut or artificial flowers is prohibited. Pookalams are normally laid on the front court yard of the house. Idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the Pookalam and worshiped. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.

Various flowers are used on each day as a specific flower is dedicated to each day of Onam. Commonly used flowers include Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti (little tree plant), Chemparathy (shoe flower), Aripoo or Konginipoo (Lantana), Hanuman Kireedom (Red pagoda plant) and Chethi (Ixora). Of all these flowers, Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookalam as they are small in size and glitter in the the soft rays of the sun. ‘Thumba Poo’ is also considered to be the favourite flower of Lord Shiva and King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Shiva.

Pagpasok ko pa lang sa kwarto kung saan inihanda ang pagaayos ng mga Pookalam na ito ay  amoy na amoy agad ang halimuyak ng mga bulaklak. Napakakulay at napaganadang mga disensyo, kitang-kita talaga ang pagbibigay pansin sa mga detalye at pagpapahalaga sa tradisyon na ito ng estado ng Keralasa India.

 

Malayali ONAM Festival (part 1)

Kada-taon nadiriwang ang mga taga-Kerala India ng kanilang Onam Festival dito sa kampo namin, dahil na rin sa napakaraming Indian na taga-estado ng Kerala ay talagang suportado ng komunidad ng aming proyekto ang isa sa pinakaimportanteng pista na ito. Ayon sa website na napuntahan ko ukol dito;

Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug – Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam – the harvest festival in Kerala. Story goes that during the reign of mighty king, Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Every body in the state was happy and prosperous and king was highly regarded by his subjects. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one shortcoming. He was egoistic. This weakness in Mahabali’s character was utilized by Gods to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali’s growing popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached. It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.

Ang isang ganitong event ay hinding-hindi ko pinapalampas dahil siguradong maraming oportunidad para sa kodakan.

Para sa unang bahagi ng serye na ito, ibabahagi ko sa inyo ang ONASADYA

Onasadhya is the most delicious part of the grand festival called Onam. It is considered to be the most elaborate and grand meal prepared by any civilisation or cultures in the world. It’s a feast which if enjoyed once is relished for years.

Onasadhya is prepared on the last day of Onam, called Thiruonam. People of Kerala wish to depict that they are happy and prosperous to their dear King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Legend goes that Mahabali who was so attached to his people that he requested Gods to allow him to visit Kerala every year. People of Kerala wish to convey that they are enjoying the same age of prosperity as was witnessed during the reign of King Mahabali by preparing a grand Onasadhya.

Rich and the poor, everybody prepares Onasadya in a grand fashion as people of Kerala are extremely devotional and passionate when it comes to Onasadya. So much so that, it has lead to saying, ‘Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam’. Meaning – men go to the extend of selling all their possessions for one Onam Sathya.

Para sa kanilang ala-ala

Sumalangit nawa.

Rakrakan slideshow

Rakrakan sa kampo (part 2)

Ikalawang bahagi ng coverage ng event na ito sa kampo namin.

 

Hugis lang ng tao ang halos makita sa kuha na ito ng bar, kitang-kita ang kakulangan ng liwanag ng lugar na lalong nagpaganda sa tugtugan.

Sabi ng mga umaawit, kung kakanta ka raw dapat ay dama mo at galing sa puso para lalong maka-konekta ang mga nakakakinig sa pag-awit mo.

Naghihintay na harapin ng bartender ang isang residente ng kampo na gustong bumili ng alak. Mapapansin din ang puting card na hawak ng lalake na gamit sa pagbili ng alak.

Ang bar.

Mas marami ang nagiinuman sa labas ng bar.

DJ’s booth kung saan narito ang sound mixer at light control ng bar. Pansin din ang watawat ng Pilipinas na nakadikit sa dingding.

Isa sa mga bandang tumugtog.

Long exposure sa loob ng bar.

Ramdam ang bigay na bigay na tugtugan ng banda sa puntong ito.

Halos inabot din ng hatinggabi ang tugtugan at kitang-kita naman ang page-enjoy ng mga tao sa munting kaganapan.