Onam is a festival celebrated in the Kerala (a state of India). Government of Kerala considers it as Kerala's state festival and allocates a lot of funds to conduct the related activities and sports. Along with the onam celebrations of 2008 there will be many onam pookalam competitions in coming weeks (pookalam is an art by flowers done in Kerala). The onam-2008 is on 12th September 2008.
The Story of Onam:
Flower
The origin of Onam is a story connected with the mythical King Mahabali. Kerala people believe that, thousands of years before King Mahabali ruled over Kerala. As per the story, when he was ruling, there was no poverty, famine and people never use to lie. Since the King Mahabali's rule was so good, his name spread all over the earth and the heaven. Due to this, the king of the heaven Lord Indra got upset. He thought that if Mahabali's name spreads like this, soon he would lose the heaven to Mahabali. So he prayed to Lord Vishnu for help, to protect the heaven from Mahabali (who is a Damon king). Accordingly, Lord Vishnu visited King Mahabali in the form of a small Brahmin boy and pushed down him in to a place called Pathalam with his leg. (Pathalam is the world under earth as per Hinduism). However, before pushing him down in to the Pathalam, Lord Vishnu blessed mahabali, and permitted him to visit Kerala once in a year as long as the world exists. Kerala people celebrate this day as Onam.
Onam Pookalam:
In Malayalam, meaning of the poo is flower and kalam is drawing or artwork done in front of the house. Therefore, it is the artwork done by fresh flowers in front of the house. It is one of the main attractions of onam. It starts 10 days before (called atham) and ends on Onam. There will be a pookalam In front of each house of Kerala on Onam.
Natural Awareness:
Normally it will be done by the kids. All over the Kerala we can see kids roaming around with flower baskets to collect the flowers for it, during this season. It will help to create natural awareness about flowers and colors in the kids. When a kid searches for a certain colored flower to make it, he watches the flowers, nature, birds etc. This will help him to increase his awareness about the nature.
Pookalam competition:
As with the other popular events in the world, it is also attracted the attention of business world, as an advertising opportunity. Therefore, many malayalee associations are organizing competitions in every year, with the sponsorship of big business Establishments. Almost all malayalee associations in different parts of the world including Singapore, USA, UK, Australia and Middle East will be conducting Pookalam competition along with their Onam celebration. Different teams headed by one or two artists will be competing in these competitions.
General Rules of Pookalam:
The rules of the will change as per the nature of organization conducting the competition, as some organization may allow displaying sponsor names where as others may not allow it. However, there are some common rules to be followed in these competitions
- Materials: - Teams can use only fresh flowers and leaves to make the Pookalam. They should not use the sawdust, shredded coconut, and artificial colors. If requested by the judges, they should show and prove the materials used in it. Colors of the flowers should not enhance by using the artificial colors. If any team is using any of the above practices, it will lead to disqualification of their team.
- The Big flowers: Teams should use sepals of flowers only. They should not use the whole flowers. Even if you are creating the same flower itself, you must separate the sepals and keep it back. Sepals of the flowers may cut in to the small pieces. Using whole flowers, instead of sepals to make it will lead to disqualification of the team.
- Place: They should make it on the place provided by the organizers. Making it on a paper or on a pre-drawn board will lead to immediate disqualification. However, teams can use a pre-drawn paper or drawings, and transfer the drawings to the place provided by organizers.
- Discipline: A team should be disqualified, if any of the team members intentionally disturb or mess up the area allotted to other teams,
- Traditional Decorations:. Teams can keep Nirapara (Indian style measuring cup), Nilavilakku (in style lamp) and/or any other traditional materials to increase the appearance and traditional value of it. However, they must keep these things according to the traditional way and at the correct corner. They may lose points if you keep Nirapara and Nilavilakku in the wrong side of it.
- The theme: The theme can be an art with Indian cultural value, or kalam itself. The theme can carry negative points (instead of positive points), to discourage them from using themes which is not suitable for the occasion. This will encourage the artist to select broad and diversified themes without worrying for points. Theme can also reflect the nature of the organization or the area of interest they are involved in. (If you restrict the theme to Kerala, all themes will be of Kathakali, Mohinyattam (Kerala Cultural dances) and Vallam Kali (Kerala boat race), which will take away the beauty and diversity of it)
- he artistic value: - This point is for the artistic value of it. We can consider this point is for the artist who has designed it.
- Quality: This point is for the quality of flower arrangements and neatness of surroundings.
Onam greeting cards:
Lot of Online greeting card sites are using it as their theme for onam card.
Onam Pookalam
Note:-You can find lot of onam greetings with Onam Pookalam and kerala background. Flash cards with onam animations are also available.
Author is inviting you to visit 365greetings.com for sending free birthday cards to your relatives and Friends.