Onam
is a festival that celebrates the annual visit of the mythical king
Mahabali who once ruled the modern day Kerala. Every year, in honour of
the King, thousands of Malayalis across the world get together to
celebrate in all grandeur. Food is usually the centre of all
celebrations. The festival also showcases the bountiful harvest of the
region, and the locals enjoy four days of state holiday and an overall
10 days of ongoing celebrations. From traditional dance, music
performances, snake boat races to thorough cleaning, decoration of
houses and of course, cooking elaborate meals - there is a sea of
activities that are carried out as a way to commemorate the festival
Clothing
Onam celebrations are incomplete without wearing the traditional outfits. Set or kesav sarees (white sarees with golden border) for women and mundu (white dhoti with golden border) for men.
The decorations, Athapookolam
Onam festivities also call for house cleaning and decorations. You will not find a single Malayali household without flower arrangements, also known as athapoo. They are beautifully created on the floor outside the houses and are similar to rangolis.
There are many athapoo making competition held during this period.
Onam festivities also include other activities such as traditional dance performances like
Pulikali
Kaikottikali
Kathakkali
Kummati Kali
Apart from these, there are a series of snake boat races (Vallamkali) that are organized.
Some people also sing traditional Onam songs, called Onappatt
The Grand Meal, Onasadhya
Onasadhya is
one of the most essential features of the festival. Meticulously
prepared and even fastidiously plated, the entire arrangement exhibits a
potpourri of different flavours - from sweet and salty to sour and
spicy. There are papadams, sweet and sour pickles, tangy pachadis, dal preparations, spicy curries and of course, payasams and Ada pradhaman for dessert.
Clothing
Onam celebrations are incomplete without wearing the traditional outfits. Set or kesav sarees (white sarees with golden border) for women and mundu (white dhoti with golden border) for men.
The decorations, Athapookolam
Onam festivities also call for house cleaning and decorations. You will not find a single Malayali household without flower arrangements, also known as athapoo. They are beautifully created on the floor outside the houses and are similar to rangolis.
There are many athapoo making competition held during this period.
Onam festivities also include other activities such as traditional dance performances like
Pulikali
Kaikottikali
Kathakkali
Kummati Kali
Apart from these, there are a series of snake boat races (Vallamkali) that are organized.
Some people also sing traditional Onam songs, called Onappatt
The Grand Meal, Onasadhya
The plating
of Onam Sadhya starts with the banana leaf which is always positioned
with its tapering end facing towards the left. Essentially, you have
eight different kinds of preparations - dals, curries, pickles, pachadis, payasams,
rice and so on - with each having multiple variants served on your
plate." In olden times all eight preparations had up to eight different
varieties served for Sadhya, making it to a grand total of 64 delectable
dishes on your banana leaf
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