How did I celebrate onam this year?

I am lucky to be born as a Malayalee. Every Malayalee is infact lucky. Malayalee across the globe celebrates Onam, the proud product of Kerala history. It is the mother of all festivals in Kerala. Kerala is geographically located in the southern frontier of great India, typically well known for its majestic beauty, incredible backwaters, flamboyant festivals, coconuts, politics, exotic beaches, exquisite cuisines, sterling arts and unfolding history. In short, Kerala is coined as “God’s own country”.

During Onam, people welcome the most powerful, potential, prudent king of all times in Kerala,Mahabali from hell, which was brilliantly engineered by Vamana, a form of Lord Vishnu. On this auspicious occasion, schools, colleges, offices are closed, relatives gather, festivals in temples, shopping spree and variety of activities which has to be experienced with naked eyes. No festival in the world has this classified uniqueness and amity, Muslims, Christian’s joins along with Hindus; communists, congress and other numerous political parties join hands, hundreds of dishes, rare gathering and composition of foreigners from across globe and many, leaves onam a unique mystery.

This year, 2009 was welcomed by the usual suspect and thriller of every Onam, the rain. It is a phenomenon proffered by nature, which leaves unforgettable experience to every Malayalee for eons. This showering is celebrated by floras and faunas. They dance, sing and shares this magical moments with fellow credo. I watched this spectacular hobnob through the window with feeling a tad lazy. Ironically, the whole country experienced 20% less rain than normal rain fall, result of global climatic changes.

I came home this time to achieve certain expected and predefined tasks and action items. Amma, papa and I are the participants of this onam. Vals, my eldest brother cannot make it this time and unavailability of Giri, my second brother has become a tradition, as he is repeating history. I have to push both Amma and papa for consulting with a famous orthopaedist. Amma has difficulty walking; her right knee has protruding and cannot keep her feet on the ground for a while. Papa’s battle with varicose veins continues and he is undergoing an ayurveda medication for last 4-5 months.

My ambitious tasks started with organizing and cleaning the principal room, followed by rest of the bedrooms, dining and toilets. Gathered all the newspapers both English and Malayalam to be sold out, went to the estates (plots) with Asokan, who usually does the business of plunging the coconut from the coconut tree; collated and set fire to the dried leaves; washed both cars; captured some flowers and insects in D60; bought provisions, vegetables and fruits; and the unwinding list goes.

Another onam passes by, and I am the same old anxious spectator. But I am lucky and proud to be a Malayalee.