 |
|
 |
| |
| |
| Festivity |
| A land of festive grandeur |
| |
 |
Kerala is a land of rich
cultural heritage manifested in the myriad customs, festivals and ritual
that run through the year. The notable ones are as follows. UDS has a
special treat for its visitors staying at the month of January. The
temple next door celebrates a colorful annual festive season in January
for a week, where the traditional art forms and celebrity of Kerala can
be watched.
|
| |
 |
Onam
The harvest festival of
Kerala, Onam, falls on Shravan day in the month of August or September.
After a lush harvest, Onam is the time for the farmers to celebrate the
bounties of nature and make merry. Ten days of feasting, boat races,
songs and dance are part of the festivities. Pookalam or floral
decoration at the entrance of each house marks each day. Earthen mounds,
which look like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are
also placed in the dung-plastered courtyards. After traditional prayers
and worship, the head of the household presents new clothes to the
family and friends. This is followed by a lavish feast.
|
| |
 |
Thiruvatira
Thiruvatira is the women's
festival of Kerala. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Dhanu.
The popular conception of this festival is that it is the commemoration
of the death of Kamadevan; the cupid Indian mythology. Thiruvathirakali
also known as Kaikottikkali is a dance in which a group of women dance
in a circle around a lighted brass lamp. They are dancing to the rhythms
of the songs they sing. They wear the traditional dress, consisting of
two pieces, dhoti and an upper garment across the breast and look
elegant and sprightly for the game. The leader of the group sings the
first line which is repeated by the group to the simple rhythm of
clapping hands. |
| |
|
| |
 |
Vishu
Falls on the first day of
Malayalam month Medam (April), which is the astronomical New Year Day
when the sun crosses the equator. Through Vishu is identified with the
Hindus religious beliefs, it is not in any way a religious festival. As
per popular belief, the first thing people see on Vishu, the
'Vishukkani', is decisive to the year's prosperity.
Thus the 'Vishukkani' has
over the years become a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like
raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal
mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and
coins, in a bell metal vessel called 'uruli'. A lighted bell metal lamp
called nilavilakku is also placed alongside.
As Vishu ushers in a New
Year dawn, people wake up to behold the ritualistic arrangement. Giving
off handsel (kaineettam) to the younger members of the family is part of
the celebrations.
|
| |
|
| |
 |
Diwali
This is perhaps the most
well-known of the Indian festivals: it is celebrated throughout India,
as well as in Indian communities throughout the Diaspora. It usually
takes place eighteen days after Dusshera. It is colloquially known as
the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil
lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards,
verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls. In
urban areas, especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among
the nouveau riche, neon lights are made to substitute for candles. The
celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by the exchange of
sweets and the explosion of fireworks. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|