onam , spirit of unity
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Onam , Spirit of UnityTRANSCRIPT
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala
ONAM SYMBOL OF UNITY
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 1
WHAT IS ONAM
• Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is the largest festival in the
Indian state of Kerala. It falls during the first month of the
Malayalam calendar which is Chingam (August–September) and
marks the homecoming of the legendary King Maveli. The
festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of
Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate
banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the Kaikottikkali
dance all play a part in the festival. And it can be undoubtedly
said that these elements constitute the diversity, colorfulness
and richness that no other festival can claim in this world.
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 2
ONAM HISTORY
• King Mahabali is one of the most renowned kings of Kerala, who is believed to have
made the people experience the best period of their lives. Therefore, the term of his
tenure is referred to as the golden era. The king was loved by his people and the Gods
could not see that happen. As a result, the king was sent to the nether world. However,
the king requested the deities to allow him to visit his people once in a year. People are of
the belief that every year, the spirit of king Mahabali visits the people of Kerala on the
Onam festival.
• Story of Boat Palliodam
Once it happened that, a boat that was fully loaded with food, got stuck in the middle of
the river. Then, a wise man, by the name Bhattathiripad, came forward and fed a poor
family that resided on the banks of the river. The boat then moved forward. From this
incident, the people began the tradition of feeding a poor and needy family on the Onam
festive occasion.
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 3
WHY WE CELEBRATE ONAM
• We celebrate Onam to commemorate a glorious past. All of us
yearn for a time like that of King Mahabali, a time when
prosperity, joy and love blended. But in order to realize this
dream we need to put forward creative and sustained effort
• Life becomes a festival when gaiety and culture blend. Onam
delivers the message of both. During Onam, we arrange an
ornamental design of flowers from the day of Attam. Actually this
flower welcome for the Lord should be within us. The Lord will
have His dearest flower design when each and every heart
resonates with compassion and love.
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 4
• The rich cultural heritage of
Kerala comes out in its best form
and spirit during the ten day long
festival. The most impressive
part of Onam celebration is the
grand feast called Onasadya,
prepared on Thiruonam. It is a
nine course meal consisting of 11
to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya
is served on banana leaves and
people sit on a mat laid on the
floor to have the meal.
ONAM SIGNIFIES CULTURAL HERITAGE OF
KERALA
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 5
• Celebrated for ten days in
the month of Chingam (the
first month as per the
Malayalam calendar),
Onam is an important
festival for every
Malayalee. It is the festival,
which every Malayalam
speaking person relates to
him/her and his/her
homeland - Kerala.
HOW ONAM IS CELEBRATED
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 6
• The festival banishes all
the barriers of castes
and religion, because in
the Empire of King
Mahabali, people live in
unison and in
prosperity. It is said that
truth is the only religion
followed by people, who
belong to the Empire of
King Mahabali
THE SPIRIT OF ONAM – ALL HUMANS ARE
ONE
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 7
• When Maveli, our
King, ruled the land,
All the people had
equality.
And people were
joyful and merry;
They were all free
from harm.
ALL WERE HAPPY WHEN MAVELI WAS
KING
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 8
• There was neither
anxiety nor sickness,
Death of the children
was never even
heard of,
There were no lies,
There was neither
theft nor deceit,
ALL WERE HAPPY
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 9
• And no one was false in
speech either.
Measures and weights
were right;
No one cheated or wronged
his neighbor.
When Maveli, our King,
ruled the land,
All the people formed one
casteless race."
ALL WERE ETHICAL
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 10
• People celebrate Onam
to commemorate a
glorious past. All of us
yearn for a time like
that of King Mahabali, a
time when prosperity,
joy and love blended.
But in order to realize
this dream we need to
put forward creative
and sustained effort."
ONAM SIGNIFIES OUR PAST TO HAVE A
HAPPY FUTURE
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 11
• In the evolutionary order of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, we find that Vamana is the first incarnation with a human body. By now, the animalistic features are discarded and Human Being is born. Here we have to note that Vamana is not born outside but in the mind of Rakshasa or Demon King Mahabali, who has changed his Rakshasa nature and sticks to truthfulness and charity. He rises prepared to sacrifice his everything. To Vamana he not only gave all the three worlds he possessed but also allowed to boy to place his foot on his own head. Thereby Mahabali made the greatest sacrifice – the absolute sacrifice of his own ego. "
MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI ON ONAM
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 12
• Life becomes a
festival when
gaiety and
culture blend.
Onam delivers
the message of
both."
LIFE IS A CELEBRATION WITH ONAM
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 13
• Life becomes a
festival when
gaiety and
culture blend.
Onam delivers
the message of
both.”
LIFE BECOMES FESTIVE WITH ONAM
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 14
• Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam
kallapparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
balamaranangal kelppanilla
• When Maveli, our King, 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 neighbor.
When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless
races
• ”
SONG SIGNIFYING ONAM
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 15
• Onam is festival
which brings every
one closer. Be it your
dear one or be it the
people from various
level of society. It
(Onam) is drafted in
such a way that it
creates harmony in
the society.
ONAM UNITES THE HUMANITY
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 16
• May the spirit of
Onam remains
everywhere
Whatever you do
Whatever you think
Whatever you hope
in your life “Wish you
a Happy Onam”
LET THE SPIRIT OF ONAM PREVAIL IN OUR
LIVES
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 17
ONAM REFLECTS GREAT INDIAN
HERITAGE
SPIRIT OF ONAM BY DR.T.V.RAO MD 18