Onam is a rich festival, which is rich in culture and heritage. There
are various fascinating activities encompassing the celebration of Onam.
The Traditional people of Kerala really celebrates the festival keeping
in mind the true customs and traditions. Besides the various rituals
that are meant to be completed in individual households, there are a lot
of customary activities that are organized at the level of society and
city all over the state. There are various customs associated with the
festival are as follows.
Athachamayam
Athachamyam is a grand procession that marks the beginning of the Onam
festival. It is celebrated with lot of fan-fair on the day of Atham at
Thirpunithura and Piravam. The event recalls a royal tradition when
Maharajas of erstwhile Kochi State as a custom traveled to the
Thripunithura Fort with their entire entourage. Today, even in the
absence of the King, the custom retains its regal charm. Highpoints of
the event are performances by folk artistes, caparisoned elephants,
musical ensembles and dance shows by skilled artsites.
Snake Boat Race
The most enthralling and popular of all such customary events is the
Vallamkali or the Snake Boat Race. The event is held just a few days
before Thiru Onam. Though the event takes place at several places in the
city, the most important of them all is the one organized at Alappuzha.
A large number of big and decorated boats called chundan vallams
participate with hundreds of boatmen. Rowing of boats on the rhythm
provided by the songs and music of the drum makes it a captivating
event.
Aranmula Uthrittathi
This is another magnificent boat event organized in connection with
Onam. This annual event takes place on the day of Uthrittathi Asterism
at Aranmula. This is meant to relive mythology that narrates a story of
Lord Krishna crossing the river on that particular day. It is believed
that the spirit of the Lord is present on all the boats hence there is
no competition of any sort in this event. A large number of people come
to watch the joyous event. Some also offer Valla Sady as a vazhipadu
(offering) in the temples on this occasion.
Decked Elephants Procession
Trichur, the cultural capital of Kerala, marks the festival in its own
beautiful style. Here, a procession of decorated elephants in carried
out on the streets. It's a resplendent site to watch the bejeweled
elephants walking on the streets in their full majesty and grandeur.
Children particularly take great delight in watching the show of their
favourite animal. Songs, dance and merry making are a part of this
event.
Celebrations at Cheruthuruthy
Renowned for housing the famous, Kerala Kalamandalm, the Kathakali
Training Centre, Cheruthuruthy is a small village in the north of
Trissur district. Onam celebrations at Cheruthuruthy are marked for the
Kathakali performance by the best artists of the state. A large number
of people gather in this village to watch the enactment of scenes from
epics and folk tales.
Pulikali/Kaduvakali Performance
This is the most entertaining custom of Onam. In this performers take
the guise of tigers. They paint their bodies yellow with patterns of
black and red. Scenes of tiger hunting goats and tigers being hunted by
humans are beautifully depicted through this folk art. Beat for the
performance is provided by udukku and thakil. Pulikali performance of
Thrissur and Palghat districts are the most famous.
Kummattikali
This is another recreational folk dance from the state of Kerala,
particularly South Malabar. Clad in plaited grass and a huge colourful
wooden mask, Kummattikali performers can be seen entertaining people on
the festive occasion of Onam. Children are a huge fan of the
performance. Mythological and folk themes are enacted on the beat of
onavillu in Kummattikali.
Athapoovu Competitions
An integral tradition of Onam, Pookalam has come up as an art form.
Competitions for decorating Pookalams are organised all over the state.
They are extremely popular and witness the participation of large number
of Pookalam designers and onlookers. Creativity of the designers in
unleashed through such competitions as they come up with innovative
designs each year.
Kaikotti kali / Thiruvathirakali
Kaikottikali is an elegant clap dance performed on the occasion of
Onam. In this women sing songs praising the legendary King Mahabali and
dance around the pookalam. At the centre of this is placed a lit bronze
lamp called nilavilakku. It is a captivating sight to watch troupe of
female dancers performing in their traditional Kerala attire consisting
of gold bordered off-white mundu-neriyathu and decked with a fragrant
gajra in their hair.
Thumbi Thullal
Women also perform Thumbi Thullal as a custom in Onam. It is a folk
dance performed by a group of women who sit in the formation of circle.
The lead performer sits inside the circle who initiates the song which
is taken up by other singers. Clap dance is also performed by the women
dressed in their best clothes and ethnic jewelery.
Onakalikal
This is a collective name for all the games played on the occasion of
Onam. Traditional games of Onam constitute rigorous sports like
Talappanthukali, Kutukutu and combats like Kayyankali and Attakalam.
Archery is also a part of Onakalikal. Senior members go in for indoor
games like cards and chess. Sports events are organised by various
social and cultural organisations all over the state.
