Thiruvonam today! The traditional Kerala festival. From a traditional point of view, it’s the harvest festival indicating prosperity. Like any other festival, there is a story behind the celebration related to King Mahabali and Vamanan; class literature comprising an elegant work with an imaginative narration.

Well, I have come across several Onams by now. There were no big differences in the way the festival used to be with me for 21 years. It always used to be fun and lively with people around, new clothes and gifts and the great Onam vacation too. Generally, back in Kerala Onam is a family centered festival where on the Thiruvonam day the whole family gets together and have the sadhya (Onam feast) together. But, mine was always different. Maternal grandparents passed away long back and been living with a wall away from paternal side the concept of get together on Thiruvonam had less significance. We used to have the small kind of Onam at our own homes. Myself and my father not being very fond of Onam sadhya and the delicasy, payasam my mother never bothered much to make big feasts on the day. However, on the 4th Onam day my paternal side family gets together for Onam at grandmother’s place. Good fun, excellent food and much more will be the attractions of the day.

But things were quite different during my early years of Onam as far as I remember. My mother insisted on a strict vegetarain diet for 10 days from ‘Atham’ and encouraged me to make Pookalam (the floral designs) at our home. And Amma made me believe that King Mahabali would come to visit us, probably disguised and watch how things are and how good kids are. I used to believe that and made sure I was good all the time. And in Kerala, we have these people asking alms visiting homes on special days as it’s a good catch then. When we get these kind of people on Onam days I used to think that may be Mahabali. We even had these people having meals from our home on Onam days.

Another attraction of Onam time is the shopping. My parents were not very specific on getting me new stuff on special occasions. But, being the youngest of a generation at paternal side and the single girl in maternal side I was always pampered by grandparents, uncles and aunts. I was never short of gifts, new clothes, pocket money etc on festivals and occasions. Well, I should say my parents also did many times.

Well, on school days we had Onam exams just before Onam. I used to hate those exams. Our school had this system of excusing us from school uniforms on the re-opening day after Onam and Christmas holidays. And we girls used to wait and wait for those days to wear ‘colour dress’ and show off on new clothes. By the time you enjoy your Onam vacation and get back to school you have your Onam results waiting for you….ooohh, it helps to get out of your Onam hangover.

Systems changed slowly along with age and attitude. The strict vegetarian diet was skipped, pookalams were not made, Mahabali became a fictional character, became less bothered on sadhya, Onam exams were not an issue….But, gifts and new clothes never stopped reaching me and so are get togethers. But still, the feel of Onam was very good even though you don’t do much about it. Amma still made sure myself and Achan takes a head bath, we do our prayers and maintain a strict vegetarain diet atleast on Thiruvonam day. Sometimes we will have my maternal Uncles and families spending the day with us if any of them are in town (out of the four). One of my elder Uncles who is still single make sure that he spends at least a day with me during Onam.

During teenage there were million other things to think and plan about during the time, will be more of a holiday mood than a festive mood… Those silly movies and books you fancy, those gossips, those million crushes you have that time and so on. During college days, it will be more of catching up with friends during Onam holidays. By that time you would be less worried on exams and. But still, Onam was always nice with the lights in town, shopping, friends and family, get togethers, new clothes and so on.

Now, miles away from Kerala I realise Onam was much more that what I had ever thought. I do miss it. Especially when talking to people back there, everyone seems busy and talking about ‘Onam’. I feel the festivity spirit and celebrations have got a bit of increase these years; or may be that I miss it more now. Both Mums made sure that I get new clothes for Onam and asked me to wear new ones to office today. When we rang the youngest member of the family for giving our wishes, the five year old little boy complained for not getting him new clothes. And we realised that festive spirit out there. Those loving forwards wishing you on occasions sent by friends and family never had such a big impact on me unlike yesterday when I received one of those Onam wishes. It was just simple 4 lines in Malayalam fonts wishing you Onam and rewinding your time machines to your childhood. I could sense something void much more than ever. On the other side, I am so happy that this is our 2nd Onam together!!! It would have been much worse if we missed each other.

However, this year is relatively better than last year as I don’t have a dissertation deadline during the days. The plan is to get together tomorrow, on 4th Onam with friends to have some fun. Onam sadhya is a challenge and I am still collecting recipes from Mums. The girls are on a combined effort to make more than 20+ dishes before 12 noon. Ethnic wear is a mandatory part for tomorrow; and pookalams are still in thoughts.

Also, this month marks the beginning of Malayalam New Year; and quite excited about that. New Years are always good; makes me feel fresh and very positive.