Atlanta Metro Malayalee Association (AMMA) celebrates Onam
Kaikottikali, a women’s group dance for Onam, performed at the Atlanta Metro Malayalee Association celebrations. (Photo: Unnikrishnan)
Onam is a festival of Malayalees or Keralites during the month of Chingam (Aug - Sep). It is believed that when Vishnu in his fifth incarnation came as the dwarf Vamana to test the good king Mahabali, he asked him for a boon: to be given the land he could cover in three steps. When he covered everything that the king had in the first two steps, the king asked him to step on his head for the third step; for keeping his word, Vishnu gave the king boons, one being to come back every year and meet his subjects (prajas). So at Onam, the king is welcomed back. Mahabali means "great sacrifice," and the king was a martyr for the sake of truth (satya).
Vyshali Menon sings "Maavin Chottile." (Photo: Shajeev Padmanivas)
The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. Each of the 10 days has its own importance in various rituals and traditions, Thiruvonam being the most important. All over the state, rituals along with new clothes, traditional cuisine, dance, and music mark this harvest festival.
Many unique elements are included: vallam kali (snake boat race), pulikali (tiger dance), kaikotti kali (women's dance), pookkalam (floral carpet like rangoli), thumbi thullal (a women's dance/singing event), onavillu (ceremonial painted bows), kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), athachamayam (the beginning parade), etc. People of all religions, castes, and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. An atmosphere of peace and brotherhood is created by team sports.
Chippi and Ria dance to "Sajnaji vaari vaari." (Photo: Shajeev Padmanivas)
For pookkalam, earthen mounds like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana, are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house and beautifully decorated with various kinds of flowers. They are works of art accomplished with a delicate touch, and are also considered as a symbol for secularism. It's a great pleasure for people in Kerala to make pookkalam from Atham to Thiruvonam, especially for children.
Every year in Atlanta, Onam is celebrated in the traditional style by different Malayalee organizations. Atlanta Metro Malayalee Association celebrates Onam in a grand manner, starting with a feast (sadya) and then Mahabali is invited with procession, chendamelam (with a loud drum), and thalapoli (procession with plates of flowers). Cultural programs are conducted by different age groups.
Raghu, Shalini, and Srinath singing at AMMA's Onam celebrations. (Photo: Shajeev Padmanivas)
One of the main attractions is the kaikottikali, one of the traditional forms of dance during Onam celebrations. It is a beautiful women's group dance, performed in front of lit lamps mainly on the occasion of Onam and Thiruvathira. The typical Kerala dress is worn: a gold bordered traditional two piece dress made of a mundu (one piece cloth for the lower part of the body) and a neriyathu worn over a blouse. Kaikottikali was presented on August 31 by the group Beena Prathip, Bindhu Vinu Chandran, Latha Raghu, Jisha Sanjay, Kanmani Subramanian, Kavitha Ramachandran, Meera Saikumar, Praseetha Sandeep, Sajitha Unnikrishnan, and Sreekala Satheesh. It was definitely a nostalgic moment and feast to the eyes.
The program was gracefully emceed by Movina Nagarajan and Meghana Nagarajan, and Jijo was sound engineer. Great talents in Atlanta filled the day with beautiful nostalgic songs and dance performances.
| Remember, we have new Website Bonus Features that are not in the print magazine. Every time you see the W symbol in the print magazine, you can go to our website to see additional print or audiovisual material! |
|
Submitting your report for consideration in Around Town Please send post event reports for consideration in the Around Town section to AroundTown@khabar.com. Publication of reports is based on several criteria including the volume of reports submitted for a given issue. You may request Guidelines for the reports prior to submitting them. Deadline: 16th of each month—for consideration in the following month. However, chances of inclusion are better if reports are received well in advance of the deadline – where possible. |
|
Submitting your news item for consideration in Newsmakers Please send news items for consideration in the Newsmakers section to CommunityNewsmakers@khabar.com. Publication of news is based on several criteria including the volume of reports submitted for a given issue. We are focusing on local community members with some achievement or award that will be interesting and/or inspiring to our readers. |
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
