Onam cheer abounds with the arrival of Atham of course in a new makeover. The flower markets are flooded with myriad colours to ornate floral masterpieces for the next 10 days.
The arrival of flowers in truckloads from neighbouring states is now the curtain raiser for onam here. Instead in olden days, the flowering of pumpkin climbers was a harbinger of Onam season as depicted in a Malayalam saying “Mathapoothaal OnamVannu”. Onam was more a fertility ritual often realizing the egalitarian dreams of people substantiated in the myths, songs, performing arts and other rituals associated with it. And Onapookkalam is one such symbol of strong bond between man and nature.
More than exhibiting the floral masterpieces and designer creativity, old pookkalams were a symbol of social living, togetherness and bond with nature. The typical traditional flowers that particularly bloom in onam season craft the pookalams in the....
