International
ONAM – Spirit of Unity
On the western coast of India, off the Arabian Sea, is the tiny state of modern Kerala. Though small its reach is far and long. There is no part of the world that does not have a Malayali (as the natives of Kerala are called) or two living there. Industrious and hard working, Malayalis, in fact, form the bulk of the work force in the Middle East.
Created apparently by the throw of an axe by Parusurama, the sixth of the ten avatars of Vishnu, Kerala rose from the sea endowed with all of nature's bounties. A land abundant and flush with beautiful rivers, hills and lakes, Kerala boasts of some of the most famous backwaters, vegetation and wild life the world has ever known. It is also among the most picturesque states in India. It is the home of ayurveda and tea gardens; of fish and elephants; of coconut trees and banana chips. It is also where innumerable temples, mosques and churches coexist side by side. Comprising roughly of the erstwhile kingdoms of Travancore, Cochin and Calicut, over the centuries Kerala's Hindu kings have played host to Christian missionaries, European explorers and many an Arabic, Jewish and Muslim wayfarer. Absorbed into the fabric of its culture, they have all in no small measure contributed to making Kerala what it is today.
They are a people proud of their lineage and proud of their culture. And now today in these times of hostile religious divisibility they have another reason to be proud of. They are perhaps the only people in the world who regardless of caste, creed or religion truly come together to celebrate a common festival- Onam. A harvest festival and secular in nature, it is a festival of flowers and vibrant colour. Spread over ten happy days usually in the month of September, it culminates on Onam day when you will find every house hold -Muslim, Hindu and Christian- celebrating it in their own traditional manner. Sporting beautifully arranged floral decorations in their front yards it is a show of prosperity and plenty.
How did that happen?
Legend has it that once upon a time Kerala was ruled by an Asura-demon by the name of King Mahabali, who was both kind and good-hearted. Beloved of his people, Mahabali's kingdom, in times of much strife elsewhere, was an ocean of peace and prosperity. He was also a firm believer of God. And his fame as an able and judicious ruler spread far and wide. So much so that it invited the wrath of the Devas, who believed that no demon king could rule over such a flourishing kingdom or be such a true devotee of God. In order to test his piety and devotion, Lord Vishnu took on the form of a Brahman boy, Vamana, and visited him. King Mahabali was in the midst of a 'yagna', when Vamana appeared before him. The king asked him what he wanted. With hands folded, Vamana asked the king for just three steps of land. The unknowing king granted him his wish. With one step Vamana, who now grew into a giant, took over the heavens and with the second he took over the netherworld. So strong was his devotion to Lord Vishnu that the king, upon realising that this Brahman boy was none other than the god he worshiped, and understanding that the next step might destroy the entire earth, offered Vamana his head. Vamana accepting the king's sacrifice put his foot on the king's head and banished him to rule over the underworld or Patala. But the people of the land felt such despair at the king's departure and the king himself was so heartbroken at leaving that Lord Vishnu allowed him to visit his kingdom once a year. That day since then is celebrated as Onam.
Dressed in white and gold, Onam is the day people of Kerala stand as a single, united entity, symbolically welcome their king and invite him to visit their homes and partake of their feasts. The 'Onam Sadya' (feast) has no less than 20 to 25 coconut-based vegetarian dishes and follows a serving routine that is always strictly followed. Though this is a typical meal, the Christians and the Muslims have their own non-vegetarian versions of the Sadhya.
In an endeavour to show King Mahabali that his people are happy and prosperous, however different the truth might be, Keralites from all over the world try to go back home during Onam, no matter where they might be residing at that moment. And no Onam celebration is complete without a multihued floral carpet painstakingly and beautifully put together in front of their main doors. Even though Onam has become more commercial in nature, traditional cultural events such as boat races, dances and special prayers in mosques, churches and temples are still held.
A song that is commonly sung to welcome the king (in translation) tells us why it is such a unifying festival:
“When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people had equality.
And people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Death of children was never even heard of,
There were no lies,
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no one was false in speech either.
Measures and weights were right;
No one cheated or wronged his neighbour.
When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless race.”
This year Onam falls on September 16. Dhaka has no less than around 200 Malayalis, says Sajoy Raman, Convener of Dhaka Malayalis. Onam, as is usual with Malayalis globally, is being celebrated regardless of faith in Dhaka as well; with floral displays, cultural shows and a sumptuous banquet.
Happy Onam!
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