FESTIVALS OFKERALA

The most important festival of Kerala, which recapture the nostalgia of a golden age, is ONAM. The festival, in short, justifies the motto of ideal democracy that underlies the myth of Mahabali.

“When Maveli rules the world, distinctions do not exist”.

Apart from this, Kerala celebrates Christmas, New Year and the Muslim festivals of Id-Ul-Fitr and Bakrid. On these occasions, the streets of Kerala overflow with festive crowds, out on a shopping spree, thronging the colorful stalls of festival fairs. Tourist fairs are conducted as part of Christmas and New Year celebrations whose main attraction is Gaja Mela, the spectacular elephant march.

Trissur Pooram is Kerala’s biggest temple extravaganza with man and tuskers together giving an arresting performance against the backdrop of the fabled Vadakkunnatha temple. Fireworks in the early hours of the morning herald the beginning of the festival. Thereafter the much-awaited Panchavadyam and the Chendamelam, a unique musical form using instruments like chenda, kombu and kuzhal get underway. The celebrations continue unabated till the twilight hours when it culminates in the changing of specially designed parasols by the mahouts atop the elephants, performed to the hypnotic rhythm of the Pancharimelam (an yet another traditional form of musical accompaniment). The Trissur Pooram has grown in importance over the centuries and today claims a national and international audience.

The Malayattur Perunnal/church festival is the biggest religious celebration of the Catholics in Kerala, and falls on the Sunday after Easter. It is an aurous trip to the top of the hill, yet thousands of pilgrims undertake it undaunted by the prospect of hardship. There is an air of festivity, as a large fair springs up here for about a fortnight and people congregate by the thousands to participate in the much-awaited perunnal.

Vishu marks the commencing of the astronomical New Year in Kerala. It is celebrated on the 1st day of Medam (April 14). The belief is that the object one sees first on this day, called the ‘Vishu Kani’ will determine one’s fortune in the coming year. Vishu Kani is the symbol of prosperity and fertility. Thereafter comes fireworks and general merry making followed by ‘Vishu Kaineettam’ which is the prerogative of the children and the younger members who boisterously demand a gift of money from parents. Then there is a sumptuous Sadya (feast) at noon - which is a fare of rice and coconut based vegetable preparations - consisiting of avail, kootukari, sambar, olan, radam, thoran, pappadam, babana chips, ginger chutney, mango and lime pickles followed by the payasam, which is the piece de resistance.