Malayalam is the mother tongue of Kerala, the Â鶹´«Ã½AVern state of India and people from Kerala are called Malayalees.
Malayalees in North Battleford celebrated Onam, the most important and biggest festival of Kerala with traditional gaiety on a high note Sept. 21 at Don Ross Centre.
Malayalees in Canada remain as part of the great Canadian culture and take part in all Canadian celebrations and festivals, and at the same time, they try not to leave behind their traditions and festivals back home.
The celebration inlcuded an Onam Sadhya (feast), Onapookalam (floral Carpet), traditional music, dance and games.
Onam is an ancient festival that continues to flourish in modern times. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali (Maveli in short), whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
According to legend, King Mahabali ruled the state once and the people were equal, prosperous and happy. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one shortcoming. He was egotistical. This weakness in Mahabali's character was used by Gods to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali's growing popularity.
However, for all the good deeds done by Mahabali, God granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached. It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear king that they are happy and wish him well.
Although there is a story behind Onam, it is also the harvest festival of the state Kerala, India.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung during Onam:
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal.
And people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
There were no lies,
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no one was false in speech either.
Measures and weights were right;
No one cheated or wronged his neighbour.
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless race``
The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities wear traditional costumes and celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organized on the day.
