Today is my sister's bday. So this post goes out as an exclusive dedication to my chweet sis. Happy Bday Chechiiiiiiiiiiiiii.... Her bday is quite a special one; since she embarked upon this earth on a Thiruvonam day, the most auspicious day celebrated by mallus all over the world.
So although the date falls on 26th, we used to bash it out on Onam, the day which rejuvenates the nostalgic memories of the warmth of family gettogethers, vibrant colours of pookkalam, ambrosial onasadya, esctatic thrills of a high swinging oonnaal ...(swing)
Until a few years ago, we used to celebrate it in our ancestral home. Our childhood Onams truly captivate the true essence of the occasion.We cousins used to go flower hunting the previous evening in the wilderness of the bountiful courtyard ; in search of those precious golden mukkuttis, teeny-weeny kakkapoos & unblemished thumbakudams(name of flowers).Each one of us will compete to fill our ornate flower baskets. And the next day,amdist all excitement & chaos of a pack of unruly kids, the pookkalam(floral design) will finally be laid out. Then the thrikkakarappan(pyramids made from mud & adorned with rice flour) will be kept at strategic locations to welcome King Mahabali, who according to Kerala traditions,is believed to visit all homes.
Afterwards, we will run off to play, our all time favorites blind man's bluff & kallanum policum.I being the youngest, was usually the unfortunate victim of these unscrupulous:) games. I remember giggling myself away in blindman's bluff & in the process of keeping a straight , innocent face give myself away in kaalanum policum.
By then,we will be all geared up for Onasadya(feast) to tickle all our taste buds with unique bitter, sour, sweet, hot dishes. I am not going to elaborate anything here, since I have this serious grievance of missing Onasadya this time.
I crave to enjoy the thrills of a high riding oonnaal (swing)once more, to reach for the heavenly sky, with wind gushing through my hair & cousins down there quarreling on who has the next turn.
This is the first Onam I am gonna celebrate away from family. And this is the first Onam without my chechi too. I miss youuuu.....Happy Bday...
PS: This post contains a few terms non-comprehensive to non mallus & beyond the author's capability to translate. So please do bear :))
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