Onam is celebrated over 10 days at the beginning of Chingam month, the first month of the solar Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham), which overlaps with August – September on the Gregorian calendar. This year the celebrations started on 1 September and concluded on 13 September.
History and Rituals behind the Celebration of Onam Festival
According to legend, in ancient times, Kerala was ruled by a demon King Mahabali. During his rule, everybody in his kingdom lived happily without any hatred and in complete harmony. However, the Gods feared the wise king, thinking that he might become dominant and all-powerful one day. They decided to seek the help of Lord Vishnu to suppress the powers of the king. Lord Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Brahmin (also known as the Vamana avatar of the Lord). Impressed with the Brahmin’s knowledge and intelligence, the king asked him to make a wish that he would fulfill at any cost. Vamana asked for three feet of land and the king agreed. But then, the Brahmin’s body size grew larger and larger. By one foot step, he measured the whole sky, in his second step, he covered the entire earth. The king at once understood that the Brahmin was not an ordinary person and was Lord Vishnu himself. The third step of the Lord could have gone on to damage the whole earth. To avert this grave danger and save the earth, the king offered his head to the Lord as his third feet. As soon as the Lord placed his foot over the King’s head he was pushed into the nether world (pataal). As the king loved his people and was greatly attached to his kingdom, the Gods allowed king Bali to visit his favorite kingdom once a year. Hence, Onam is the day, when the king is believed to return and visit the houses of his people.
Various cultural activities were held by the Malayali fraternity and cultural council from 8 to 10 of September as part of Onam celebrations on campus.
8 September
Lasyamohanam, a Mohiniattam recital by renowned Mohiniattam dancers from Kerala Kalamandalam (Kerala Kalamandalam – deemed to be University of Art and Culture by the Government of India, is a major center for learning Indian performing arts).
Mohiniyattam is one of the eight classical dances of India that developed and remained popular in Kerala. It adheres to the Lasya type that showcases a more graceful, gentle and feminine form of dancing. Mohiniattam derives its name from the word ‘Mohini’, a female avatar of Lord Vishnu. Conventionally, a solo dance performed by female artists, it emotes a play through dancing and singing where the song is customarily in Manipravala which is a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam language and the recitation may be either performed by the dancer herself or by a vocalist with the music style being Carnatic.
The performance was held at Tarangani amphitheatre in the evening. The cultural event began with a semi classical dance by Shajil Padiyoor, Center for Exact Humanities (CEH), who is a Sculptor as well as a performing artist. This was followed by an entrancing 3-part performance lasting 45 mins by the dance trio consisting of Kalamandalam Pooja Rateesh, Kalamandalam Shrithi Shaji, and Kalamandalam Krishna Suresh.
The dance began with Ganapathi stuthi followed by ’Seeman Naryana and concluded with the recital of a Malyalam poem ”karukare karmugil….” by Kavalam Narayana Panikkar.
9 September
Students made a floral carpet in front of KCIS. Floral carpet making which is one of the main onam celebrations began at 7 in the night and ended at 6 in the morning.
10 September
An Onam Sadhya was organised in the guest house. This is a popular and integral feast part of the 10-day celebration of the annual harvest festival. While the feast is known for its flavors and varieties of dishes, it also highlights the benefits of some traditional eating practices as well. Here’s everything you need to know about the related beliefs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhya
Special Thanks to Prof Radhika Mamadi, Prof Avinash Sharma and Prabhakar (cultural events coordinator at IIITH) for their support, SLC committee IIITH and all students for helping to organize and participating in the events.