December 07, 2007
December 01, 2007
VISHU
Vishu is the most joyful festival being celebrated by Keralaities, in South India. Vishu is the time to rejoice with family and friends. People from the northern districts of Kerala, South India. Vishu means the Vishukkani, Vishukaineettam, new clothes, crackers and the elaborate sadya. Vishu evokes a lot of nostalgia. The entire family would get together to celebrate the festival.
The festival is a time of prosperity. The arrangement of the Vishukkani the night before by the senior most woman member of the family, seeing the kani, the Vishukaineettam, and the feast that follows are what make this traditional festival special. The amount paid to kids as Vishukaineettam has increased by leaps and bounds over the years.
But the atmosphere associated with Vishu is to be found no more. As children, we eagerly waited to see the Vishukkani, but the children these days are not very enthusiastic about this tradition. Vishu is a festival to be celebrated with the entire family, and neighbors and friends too, but in the city, rarely does one get company from them.
The Vishukkani is something that most people was eloquent about. The traditional Vishukkani is a beautiful arrangement of kanikonna, flowers of Konna Tree that blossoms during Vishu period only in Kerala, and other flowers, fruits, vegetables, rice, pulses, coconut, betel leaves, areca nuts, gold jewelery, gold and silver coins, kasavu, mirror, bell metal lamps and vaalkannadi, all arranged in a bell metal vessel called uruli. Vishukkani would be brought to the households early in the morning, Almost all families in olden days used to own cows and the kani would be shown to them as well. While most people would see the Vishukkani at their homes, there are others who would first see the kani at the temple.
The bright yellow kanikonna flowers used in the Vishukkani here are not the traditional konna flowers, though they belong to the Cassia family. The actual kanikonna is found only in a couple of places in Thiruvananthapuram. Similarly, the red and yellow vellarikya (cucumber) that is a significant part of Vishukkani gives way to the green vellarikya . Traditionally, only ripe fruits are kept in the kani.
Kaineettam is the highlight of the Vishu festival. The oldest member of the family would give kaineettam to all those younger to him. Then other elders in the family would follow suit. Kaineettam had to be given to everyone coming to the house on that day - friends, neighbors, servants, people working in the fields and even the newspaper boy. Gold nanayams (coins) were symbolically given as kaineettam after seeing the kani. These were taken back and coins would be given as kaineettam later on.
Crackers are what add zing to the Vishu celebrations. Crackers were burst in three stages - the night before Vishu, after the kani has been seen the next day, and following the elaborate lunch. For those in Thrissur and Palakkad districts in Kerala, Vishu is a three-day affair. Crackers are burst the morning before Vishu till late into the night. Local temples conduct Vishupooram. It is somewhat similar DEEPAVALI in Northern India. The difference is that Deepavali falls in November and VISHU in April. Dance and Kathakali recitals are held on the temple premises. Traders selling knick-knacks, bangles and toys make their appearance and children throng to them.
The sadya comprises rice made of newly-harvested grain, dishes such as erisseri, olan, aviyal, kaalan, thoran, puli inji, pacchadi,(the very delicious Kerala cuisines) and payasams such as paalada and ada pradhaman (the very tasty deserts of Kerala).
Vishu was not something you looked forward to each year, for a change, treat yourself to a Vishu that is traditional and worth remembering.
For a foreign Tourist who is interested to see India especially KERALA, the best time to visit is during VISHU period.
The festival is a time of prosperity. The arrangement of the Vishukkani the night before by the senior most woman member of the family, seeing the kani, the Vishukaineettam, and the feast that follows are what make this traditional festival special. The amount paid to kids as Vishukaineettam has increased by leaps and bounds over the years.
But the atmosphere associated with Vishu is to be found no more. As children, we eagerly waited to see the Vishukkani, but the children these days are not very enthusiastic about this tradition. Vishu is a festival to be celebrated with the entire family, and neighbors and friends too, but in the city, rarely does one get company from them.
The Vishukkani is something that most people was eloquent about. The traditional Vishukkani is a beautiful arrangement of kanikonna, flowers of Konna Tree that blossoms during Vishu period only in Kerala, and other flowers, fruits, vegetables, rice, pulses, coconut, betel leaves, areca nuts, gold jewelery, gold and silver coins, kasavu, mirror, bell metal lamps and vaalkannadi, all arranged in a bell metal vessel called uruli. Vishukkani would be brought to the households early in the morning, Almost all families in olden days used to own cows and the kani would be shown to them as well. While most people would see the Vishukkani at their homes, there are others who would first see the kani at the temple.
The bright yellow kanikonna flowers used in the Vishukkani here are not the traditional konna flowers, though they belong to the Cassia family. The actual kanikonna is found only in a couple of places in Thiruvananthapuram. Similarly, the red and yellow vellarikya (cucumber) that is a significant part of Vishukkani gives way to the green vellarikya . Traditionally, only ripe fruits are kept in the kani.
Kaineettam is the highlight of the Vishu festival. The oldest member of the family would give kaineettam to all those younger to him. Then other elders in the family would follow suit. Kaineettam had to be given to everyone coming to the house on that day - friends, neighbors, servants, people working in the fields and even the newspaper boy. Gold nanayams (coins) were symbolically given as kaineettam after seeing the kani. These were taken back and coins would be given as kaineettam later on.
Crackers are what add zing to the Vishu celebrations. Crackers were burst in three stages - the night before Vishu, after the kani has been seen the next day, and following the elaborate lunch. For those in Thrissur and Palakkad districts in Kerala, Vishu is a three-day affair. Crackers are burst the morning before Vishu till late into the night. Local temples conduct Vishupooram. It is somewhat similar DEEPAVALI in Northern India. The difference is that Deepavali falls in November and VISHU in April. Dance and Kathakali recitals are held on the temple premises. Traders selling knick-knacks, bangles and toys make their appearance and children throng to them.
The sadya comprises rice made of newly-harvested grain, dishes such as erisseri, olan, aviyal, kaalan, thoran, puli inji, pacchadi,(the very delicious Kerala cuisines) and payasams such as paalada and ada pradhaman (the very tasty deserts of Kerala).
Vishu was not something you looked forward to each year, for a change, treat yourself to a Vishu that is traditional and worth remembering.
For a foreign Tourist who is interested to see India especially KERALA, the best time to visit is during VISHU period.
November 24, 2007
She Called Me
It was around 7 PM. Telephone started ringing. Thrice telephone rang. Dad was seriously reading the To days Business Express and Mom is busy in making Chappathi. I was simply turning the pages of Text book and heard Dad's voice "See who is that"? I know Mom won't come and pick up the Phone and I was waiting to ring the Phone. I jumped like a Kangaroo and picked up the Phone. Hello, I identified the sweet mild voice from the other side, that, she, the girl who went to aunt's house yesterday after accepting my sweet warm kiss. I reached here around 1 PM, Auntie and Uncle both are well and now they went out to purchase something for their Daughter, Neenu, Now in Chicago, coming next week for vacation with her husband. So I am alone here. How are You? She asked. Fine, I told. Call me tomorrow, I said and hang up. Who was it? Dad asked without raising head from Business Express. One of my classmates, HE got some doubts about Chemistry. I moved to my room at up stairs. Thanks God Dad didn't ask the name of the classmate. While climbing upstairs I peeped Dad. He is still under Business Express. Havooo. "Raju you want Chappathi or Poori" Mom asked from Kitchen. Chappathi, I said loudly with excitement and joy. Does anybody recognized the difference in voice, I doubted. No. Nobody.
November 17, 2007
INDIAN FESTIVALS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE
India is a land of fairs, fates, feasts and festivals and every religious community has its own list. Hindus are the majority of Indian Community. They observe Diwali, the Festival of Lights, by decorating by Lights even in the trees. Among the other prominent of the Hindu festivals are Dussehra, Holi, Janmashtami etc. The Christian community has its Easter and Christmas. The Sikhs celebrate the birthdays of their Gurus as festivals. Most of the Indian festivals have their origin in some outstanding event in the mythological or religious legends of the people concerned. Diwali, which is elebrated all over the country by all walks of people, marks the return from the exile of Lord Rama, the God who killed Ravana. Holi festival is famous for the defeat of evil at the hands of truth. The mythological story associated with this event is that of Prhlad, who as prince, successfully killed King Hiranya Kashyap and his sister who was the embodiments of falsehood and demons. Some festivals are also associated with folklore, especially in villages. Baisakhi in Punjab is one such festival, which is associated with harvesting of crops, mainly the wheat.
Most festivals are associated with joy and mirth. The participants take full advantage of such occasion to make themselves lively. During Holi days we come across endless professions of people whose faces are besmeared with pleasing colors and present a strange spectacle. Almost everyone has his or her clothes drenched in colored water. Many days before Diwali, they start hearing the thundering noises caused by fireworks all over the country. On the Diwali day, elders join the youngsters in the explosion of crackers. The people wear new clothes, eat sweets and make them merry. The occasional plunges into the lighter side of life is necessary as a means of escape from the dull monotony of our daily life.
These festivals serve another good purpose. On these occasions they invite friends, neighbors and relatives for dinner or tea party. Our home then becomes everybody’s home. Our wealth is put to everybody use and we become one with many. For the time being, all barriers of social status, power and wealth are removed and the doctrine of brotherhood of man becomes a reality in our minds.
Indian festivals make strange practices and customs with quite a large number of people. It is a common belief that unless some amount of gambling is undertaken on Diwali day, it would not be auspicious for the family and the next year may have some bad omens in store for them. Although gambling is otherwise denounced, a vast majority of the people take to GAMBLING with out any hesitation. They rather consider it a matter of boon and duty, which must be fulfilled. Gambling on this day is not decried by a father for a son and is not opposed by a mother for a daughter. In fact, all members of the family join hands. In spite of these defects, India festivals gave a unique place in the lives and customs of the people. They provide immense diversion to people from their dull drab routine. India is a poor country. Indian people can therefore, ill-afford entertainments which are so vital for the very existence of a man. The festivals, therefore, serve the masses more than the Indian classes, who can afford to go to cinema houses and clubs to entertain them. In short, our festivals offer much more than what meets the eye.
Most festivals are associated with joy and mirth. The participants take full advantage of such occasion to make themselves lively. During Holi days we come across endless professions of people whose faces are besmeared with pleasing colors and present a strange spectacle. Almost everyone has his or her clothes drenched in colored water. Many days before Diwali, they start hearing the thundering noises caused by fireworks all over the country. On the Diwali day, elders join the youngsters in the explosion of crackers. The people wear new clothes, eat sweets and make them merry. The occasional plunges into the lighter side of life is necessary as a means of escape from the dull monotony of our daily life.
These festivals serve another good purpose. On these occasions they invite friends, neighbors and relatives for dinner or tea party. Our home then becomes everybody’s home. Our wealth is put to everybody use and we become one with many. For the time being, all barriers of social status, power and wealth are removed and the doctrine of brotherhood of man becomes a reality in our minds.
Indian festivals make strange practices and customs with quite a large number of people. It is a common belief that unless some amount of gambling is undertaken on Diwali day, it would not be auspicious for the family and the next year may have some bad omens in store for them. Although gambling is otherwise denounced, a vast majority of the people take to GAMBLING with out any hesitation. They rather consider it a matter of boon and duty, which must be fulfilled. Gambling on this day is not decried by a father for a son and is not opposed by a mother for a daughter. In fact, all members of the family join hands. In spite of these defects, India festivals gave a unique place in the lives and customs of the people. They provide immense diversion to people from their dull drab routine. India is a poor country. Indian people can therefore, ill-afford entertainments which are so vital for the very existence of a man. The festivals, therefore, serve the masses more than the Indian classes, who can afford to go to cinema houses and clubs to entertain them. In short, our festivals offer much more than what meets the eye.
October 20, 2007
Waiting for me
When I was going to shop to purchase milk she was standing near the wooden bridge knowing that I will be passing through the bridge now. I almost reached her. She extended her long hand hold on me. I was expecting that. I did'nt hesitate and kissed in her lips for which was eagerly waiting for. Tomorrow I will not be here, she told. I know that she is going to her aunt's house. Okey.
October 19, 2007
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