Tomichan Matheikal's blog

From the Onam celebrations at my school today   Kerala has started Onam celebrations, the most colourful and joyful festival of the state. The schools in the state will be closed for a whole week from tomorrow. Even the government offices will not function for most part of the week. Onam is not just a festival, it is the heartbeat of the people of Kerala.  The legend that sustains Onam is quite paradoxical. Mahabali, or Maveli as he is affectionately called in Kerala, was an Asura king. He was the paragon of goodness though he belonged to species called demons, Asuras. During his reign there was no corruption whatever. People possessed and practised all good qualities. In short, Kerala was a utopia under Maveli's tutelage.  The gods became jealous. That's the paradox. Gods who should be happy to see humans living happily in peace and harmony became jealous! None but Vishnu himself decided to decimate the utopia on earth. He took the form of a dwarf named Vamana and deceived Mav

Onam unfolds a floral carpet for Maveli (From last year's Onam celebration in my school) Onam celebrations have already got underway in Kerala though the actual festival falls on 4 Sep this year.   But Onam is a season in the state, not just a day.   It is a mega event which brings together flowers and music, dances and boat races, and of course the legend of Maveli or Mahabali.   The legend is pregnant with the typical Malayali sarcasm.   Mahabali was an asura king, according to the legend.   Asuras are demons and are opposed to the devas or gods.   Mahabali (literally means ‘great sacrifice’) tilted the cosmic balance by refusing to be as evil as asuras are supposed to be.   He was too good, in fact.   He created a utopia in what now is Kerala.   He brought prosperity to his people who lived in perfect bliss.   There was no evil.   Onam celebrates the memory of that great king who made Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas a reality.   The most popular Onam folksong recou