PC THOMAS
According to legend, Kerala had
its golden era during the sovereignty of King Mahabali, and Onam marks the
King's annual visit to see his subjects. All through the years, Onam has become
one-single festival celebrated by all sections of Kerala people. Onam is also
celebrated by Keralites with high spirit and enthusiasm even under social
distancing.
Onam is a harvest as well as divine
festival from God's own country, Kerala. It is the time of the year
when Kerala is elated with trumpets, drums, art, dance, music, boat
races, floral carpets, lights, colours, rituals and the delicious Onasadya
without which the celebrations are unfinished. Onam is welcomed with a various
range of activities and celebrated with immense pomp and fervor. The spirit of
Onam is worldwide regardless of caste and creed. Read more article PC Thomas
This year, however, the glitter,
fervor and enthusiasm for traditional festival Onam seem to have been subdued
and restrained in low key-note as the celebrations and merriments are impacted
in isolation, due to the corona pandemic. Rising corona cases, social
distancing and identification of hotspots clad the season of celebration across
states kept the residents in shelter, taking away the festive mood, which our
diverse culture is known for.
Indore Keralites are set to keep
up Onam fervour amid social distancing due to Covid. The Indore Keraleeya
Samajam President Joseph Thomas expressed– “It has been immense joy to
celebrate Onam in Indore even with restrictions and social distancing. It
reminds all the Rule of Great King Mahabali where Equality, Fraternity &
Liberty were practised. Keeping with the solidarity and harmony in mind”.
Arun Kumar PK, the Joint
Secretary of Indore Keraleeya Samajam expressed "We observe Onam to honor
a glorious past. We all of us desire for a time like that of King Mahabali, a
time when success, unity and brotherhood of love uniformed. Be that as it may,
so as to realize this dream, let us put forward a creative and sustained energy
to keep up"
Let us also follow the message of
Onam by Kerala Health Minister K.K Shailaja - “Malayalees should celebrate the
first Onam since the COVID-19 outbreak with care at home, celebrate this year's
Onam with soap, mask and gap. Let us make ready to celebrate the spirit of the
harvest festival Onam in its entire inner zeal and splendor. Let us decorate
our homes with Pookalams, listen to the melodious Onam-Songs and enjoy the
auspicious festival of Onam!
