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Changing Trends In Onam Festival

By Padmapreetham Mahalingam

From the days of yore, Onam is considered to be one festival in Kerala, which irrespective of the religion or caste one belongs to it is celebrated with much fun and fervour. This grandest carnival of the Kerala state is usually celebrated in the month of Chingam (between August–September). It is unquestionably the most secular festival in India.

The festival is celebrated in honour of the homecoming of the noble king Mahabali (known to be the grandson of Prahlada) who according to Hinduism happened to be an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. The glory of the Onam lies in its novel custom and activities such as Pookalam (colourful floral pattern), Kasavu Sarees (traditonal attire for women), Mundu (traditional wear for men), Onasadhya (tradtional pure vegetarian Feast 13 -25 dishes), Vallam Kali (boast race), Kaikottikali dance and Puli kali (Tiger dance).

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However, due to changing times many youngsters have shunned the traditional celebrations, which used to be the quintessence of Kerala. Here are some of the changing trends in Onam festival that has been happening for the past few years.

Latest Trends In Onam Festival

Readymade Onam Sadhya
For the past few years, readymade Onam sadhyas has become a trend in Kerala during the festival as most of the households don’t want to do the arduous cooking at home. And many caterers in Kerala do roaring business during the ten-day long Onam festivities by selling a variety of food items such as pickles, Ada payasam, banana chips, sweets and savouries. Many households prefer the ordered sadhya that comes with payasam. Interestingly even the hotels also offer 30 varieties of traditional dishes and two payasams during the celebration.

Latest Trends In Onam Festival

Roaring Chicken Business
The other changing trend in Onam celebration is that many youngsters prefer the Onam sadhya spread with non-vegetarian dishes like fish curry or chicken biriyani.

Latest Trends In Onam Festival

No Traditional Attire
For the past few years many teenagers and the middle aged prefer a change from the traditional attire. Young girls want their Onam wear stitched to make a fashion statement during the festival. Usually the traditional attire of Keralites is the Kasavu Mundu or brocaded dhoti, or Kasavu Kerala Sarees, as these are given as Onakkodi (gifts for the popular festival).

However a changing trend in Onam festival can be witnessed in small towns as most women prefer to wear churidars than saris. Sometimes women sport silk saris or cotton saris with wider golden print. The sarees are worn in bright colours such as maroon, wine, green, orange, mehendi or red.

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On the other hand these days the dress styles have undergone a change of tack and it is mostly customised. Onam attire has become a changing trend among youngsters and women as many of them prefer to get the Onam ensemble stitched so as to look trendy and different from their friends. Even the traditional golden blouse worn along with the Kasavu sarees is customised with golden embroidery in circular, rectangular or diagonal designs.

Latest Trends In Onam Festival


Pookkalam is expensive

Onam brings the joy of togetherness and happiness when it is celebrated with the family yet some Keralites prefer to celebrate it by taking a well deserved family vacation. Pookkalam is the inevitable part of the celebrations. Due to the changing trends in Onam festival not many homes are festooned with flowers of different hues. Moreover, the blooms can only be purchased from the market at very expensive prices.

The wide range of flowers like the Thumbapoo and Mukkutti which were an integral part of onapookkalam are not part of the celebration these days. Gone are the days when kids used to go around the neighbourhood or their garden to collect all kinds of flowers; now it has to be blooms purchased from the market. Yet in the country side arranging floral carpets on the courtyards from Atham to Thiruvonam is still being done by the children in the households.

During Onam, many Keralite Hindus try to install an image of Thrikakarappan in their home. It represents the Vamana, which is said to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Nowadays, this clay pyramid structure with four faces with flat top (kept at centre of the pookalam) is bought at the market.

Onam has lost its traditional flavour in view of the fact that these days youngsters prefer to follow the changing trends in the celebration. Yet, many homes do try to uphold the classic charm and style of the festival and this has helped ensure that the traditional customs hasn’t been eroded even in the current era of globalisation.

Story first published: Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 16:05 [IST]
Read more about: pulse onam festival