Spice september 2016 issue ipad pdf

FESTIVALS ||||| ONAM
important date that marks ten days to the
beginning of Onam,” informs Kayarat.
Being that time of year when
legendary King Mahabali visits his
beloved people, no stone is left unturned
to welcome him. Girls, women, put in
hours of effort and ingenuity to create
large, colourful compositions with fresh
flower petals called pookalams in front
of homes.
The traditional pookalam starts
small and is progressively added to over
Onam, resulting in ten concentric circles
symbolic of the ten-day festival. Often, a
spectrum of pookalams, reflecting
devotion and festivity, is created. A metal
lamp may be lit at the centre of these
decorations. Pookalam competitions are
held throughout Kerala and thoroughly
enjoyed by participants and onlookers
alike.
FESTIVE SHOPPING
No festival is complete without
shopping, especially that last minute
dash to stores through crowded streets
hemmed in by pop-up stalls and vendors
hawking their wares. Interestingly,
Onam has a name for it. The day before
Onam is called uthrada pachil, derived
from the words uthradom, which,
according to the Malayali calendar, is the
ninth and penultimate day of Onam, and
pachil, which means to run around.
Uthrada pachil describes the frenzy
in local markets as shoppers rush to buy
vegetables, groceries, Nenthrapazham
or the Kerala banana, banana leaves for
the sadya feast to be prepared the next
day, and even festive outfits to be worn
during Onam. This year, uthrada pachil
falls on September 13.
Onam begins by celebrating the
ascent of King Mahabali from the
netherworld to earth. The revered
Thrikkakara Temple, Ernakulam,
dedicated to Lord Vamana, is the heart of
festivities, as it is said to be at this spot
that vamana placed his
foot on King Mahabali’s
head, pushing him into
the netherworld,
commemorating the very
event that led to the birth
of this festival.
Hoisting of the
festival flag, rituals,
decoration of the idol,
performances, a
ceremonial procession of
caparisoned elephants,
and serving of sadya
mark the festivities that
go on for 10 days, and end only with
lowering of the festival flag on the last
day.
Sadya - a traditional Kerala-style
vegetarian banquet, which can comprise
up to two dozen dishes served in a single
course – is served on banana leaves, and
is the highlight of Onam celebrations.
Dishes are served in a specific order
and each dish is served at a specific place
on the banana leaf, either directly or in
small bowls. Among the specialities are
dry and gravy preparations, sambhar,
steamed rice, banana-jaggery chips,
papads, pickles, salad, and of course
Top: Athachamayam, a colourful cultural
extravaganza, in Thripunithura, Kochi.
Below: A swing is affixed to a tree branch and
girls enjoy swinging from it during Onam.
110 ||||| SEPTEMBER 2016