Reminiscences of Onam and Cultural Identity

Reminiscences of Onam and Cultural Identity

Author Name : Dr. K. Mini

The history and culture of Kerala would be incomplete without elaborating the myth of Onam. Onam stands as a symbol of prosperity, abundance and generosity for the Keralites the pivotal message of Onam is equality and tranquillity. Another question comes up if any of these universal values ​​remain today.

There are no human beings who are not immersed in the good old times. Most of us have cherished memories of the past when we observe the horrors of the grim reality of the present. The delightful concept of Onam, which is evoking sweet feelings into the mind, brain and soul of every Malayalee, gets repressed in the gloom of the mechanical age. It is forfeiting its uniqueness.

We are searching for plastic flowers to make floral decoration (athapookalam). Instead of the fragrant plants like little tree plant or Mukutti, Coleus barbatus or Panikoorka and pepper leaved Tulsi or Krishna Tulsi, that flourished in the courtyard, the inodorous and unpleasant Mussaenda or red flag bush stood tall. Kilithattu (a folk game of Kerala that resembles cricket) and Kabaddi are invisible in the field after the harvest. There are no tree branches to swing. We have extinguished those places and celebrated the festivals. The scuffle during agricultural research resulted in withered trees that stood like a statue hither and thither. The paddy fields are levelled and concrete buildings are constructed. Human mind has become emotionless.

The fertile concept of Onam should flow like a heaven to this arid land. We must reconstruct Onam in such a way that it draws vitality from tradition. It is not enough to accept only the label. The nostalgic recollection of the tradition of Onam and the glory of Maveli are reminiscences of a new spring.