Onam celebrations in Indore take pleasant turn as people play Chenda and garnish Sadya in their own unique styles
From prayers, music to get together and feast, Malyali community members celebrated ‘Onam’ starting their day together at Ayyapa temple on Saturday. The day was celebrated with prayers and Pookkalam (flower carpet). Awaiting the major feasting party on Sunday, people wished each other and shared plans.
Onam festival is a 10-day affair. The three key days start Friday and end with Avittam on Sunday. Thiru Onam that was celebrated on Saturday is the most important day.
Talking about the festival, educationist Asha Nair said, “Onam celebrates harvest of rice, which is our staple diet.” She explained that celebrating the bliss of this festival also holds a story.
“The story of Mahabali and how he learned the lesson of humility is often retold to children on this day,” Nair said. She explained that hearing the story was her favourite part of the day in childhood.
Discussing another wondering tradition of Onam, president of temple committee Sajan Panicker said, “During preparation of this festival, men work together at night cutting and slicing vegetable, which is a soothing sight.” She explained that participation of men in serving and cooking makes women feel pampered.
Men and women worked together on cutting and arranging flowers to make a carpet for hours. As the carpet was complete, everyone wished each other and felt grateful for having a peaceful life.
“Since it is a working day, we all have prepared a small version of Sadya in our homes and would be enjoying it together,” businessman Vishwanathan said. He explained that traditional food prepared with major use of banana and rice is special to the occasion.
While harvest is the main centre of celebrations in Onam, traditional way of celebration is with ‘chenda’ music and freestyle dancing. Though people did not dance, they played ‘Chenda’ and celebrated with songs.
While a group of men played first thalam on the classical musical instrument, women chatted and sang classical songs.
Onam pictures especially featuring the most loved Sadya trended on social media as well. Indoreans, the food lovers, garnished and presented Sadya in unique ways from banana leaves to fancy dishes.
Onam festival is a 10-day affair. The three key days start Friday and end with Avittam on Sunday. Thiru Onam that was celebrated on Saturday is the most important day.
Talking about the festival, educationist Asha Nair said, “Onam celebrates harvest of rice, which is our staple diet.” She explained that celebrating the bliss of this festival also holds a story.
“The story of Mahabali and how he learned the lesson of humility is often retold to children on this day,” Nair said. She explained that hearing the story was her favourite part of the day in childhood.
Discussing another wondering tradition of Onam, president of temple committee Sajan Panicker said, “During preparation of this festival, men work together at night cutting and slicing vegetable, which is a soothing sight.” She explained that participation of men in serving and cooking makes women feel pampered.
Men and women worked together on cutting and arranging flowers to make a carpet for hours. As the carpet was complete, everyone wished each other and felt grateful for having a peaceful life.
“Since it is a working day, we all have prepared a small version of Sadya in our homes and would be enjoying it together,” businessman Vishwanathan said. He explained that traditional food prepared with major use of banana and rice is special to the occasion.
While harvest is the main centre of celebrations in Onam, traditional way of celebration is with ‘chenda’ music and freestyle dancing. Though people did not dance, they played ‘Chenda’ and celebrated with songs.
While a group of men played first thalam on the classical musical instrument, women chatted and sang classical songs.
Onam pictures especially featuring the most loved Sadya trended on social media as well. Indoreans, the food lovers, garnished and presented Sadya in unique ways from banana leaves to fancy dishes.