I have different memories of Onam from the extreme north Kerala to the central kerala till Trichur. I would say the most vibrant and celebrated one is at Trichur. The reason I assume is because of the rulers were Local Kings in the past than the Britishers. The tradition was so much , even the christians celebrated it. The food was strictly vegetarian comparing the lavish non vegetarian dishes for the season in North Kerala. Trichur brings one of the most interesting era of my school and college days. The first time I saw a film after skipping the class was at Sapna Theatre( Vellanakalude Nadu) and my most valuable gift, a Titan classic watch got a scratch on the glass while rushing through the gate. Onam was really top class the way it was organized and celebrated.
As every one writes the past glory is getting face lifts the life style changes. There is a whole new change to the way we live. Now every where it is Buy one get two so every one rush. Flowers are from Karnataka. The Bright looking Merry Gold speaks Kannada. All the local flowers, their names are familiar now a days only in those old malayalam songs. We live in the era of Orchids and Anthuriams.
I remember..my 3 rd standard..a local Govt L.P. School in Aavikkara a coastal belt in Kanhagad. The exact route is from the Kottecherry Junction you take a west side road cross the railway gate and go ahead. hardly 2 kms away on a curve this school can be seen few foot away on a sandy uphill.
From my home it was just 5 minutes walk. I still remember the head teacher was Kannada Master. A 6 feet tall clean shaved Middle aged man and other teachers I still feel thankful for exploring my creative talents was Ammalu. I can still see her in my mind, a teacher with a small bend on her back. She took me to my first ever pencil drawing competiotion in the Sub district level and got me 3 rd Prize. Lot of interesting superstitious things were around this school. I should write them in separate blogs.
The reason I came to this locality through blog is because of those missing flora. There was a short cut through the paddy fields to reach school. There was some area like plain ground you could see the traditional and most popular flowers of this season carpeting the ground. The mild wind which make them dance..I still feel the fresh air. The season of Onam.. the sunlight is so bright as the dust is wiped out by the monsoon rain. There is a group of dragon flies in the area. They glide and glide. Most of them were having red tail and transparent wings.
The flowers all around…The favorite to me were a purple color with dark blue inside. Seems it is called Kakka poo or mukuti poo not sure. These were hardly half feet tall plants carrying this flower. The thumba also used to be my favorite. The modern life style and development has chased them out of our road sides and paddy fields.
Imagine about their sorrow. they have been every where. They were once the seasonal flowers which reminded us the arrival of Onam, the most celebrated season in kerala. Occasionally I have spotted them behind the electric post or telephone post. They were looking very fragile and scared. My mind still asks..where they vanished ..? Why did we chased them out? The new generation will never know these things… as the world change we also change, we adopt new things we enjoy new things! But a look back at those glorious days gives me some comfort then buying a Merrygold from the roadside vendor.
This weekend when I go home I will definitely search for a Thumba or kakka poo.. it will be a great feeling to see those glorious but vanishing flowers of kerala. Hope these flowers are back to our road sides soon… Like the street Sparrow hope these flowers won’t leave us.. Happy Onam…!
Tags: Onam
