Seven major changes in the festival Onam

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The harvest festival Onam is one of the most lavish celebrations in the Southern state of Kerala. The festival has witnessed some shifts over the past few years. Many things have changed from the traditional to the modern way. A few of them are discussed here:

Encompassing 10-day celebrations into a single day

Onam is a ten-day celebration. Each day is given a different name, and there are specific celebrations conducted. On all the days - Atham, Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom and Thiruvonam - Keralites would indulge in celebrations according to the day’s significance. But now, that is not the case; the only day celebrated is Thiruvonam, usually with just an off-day at work and college. Not everyone knows the prominence of the other days, and therefore don't value it. With this starts the consequences.

The arrival of the readymade flower carpet

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In previous decades, the decoration of the Pookalam (flower carpet) started from the first day. Kids would go in search of flowers to arrange the carpets every day. From day one, each flower carpet would use a different variety of flowers. Unfortunately, nowadays, such scenes are not seen; children and elders are not interested in them. Instead, they buy artificial flowers from the market and use them. Even readymade flower carpets are trending these days.

Schools and colleges try to arrange flower carpet competitions to bring some awareness of the traditional customs to the children.

Onam Sadhya to your doorsteps

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Onam is incomplete without the 9-course meal on a plantain leaf - the most celebrated lunch among Keralites. Usually, the preparation starts a day before Thiruvonam and is called Uthradapaachil. All family members come to their Tharavadu (ancestral homes) and prepare the Sadhya together. Now there have been many changes to these practices. With their busy lives, no one has the time to prepare the 9-course meal. Instead, they prefer to sit and enjoy their day. Many restaurants in and around Kerala prepare the Onam Sadhya with huge offers, so Malayalis can have their Sadhya with relaxation.

Changing Onam games

Pot breaking

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Onam games are exciting and entertaining, but children nowadays don't show interest in engaging with these games. One of the reasons is the use of video games and other mobile applications that makes them spend hours in front of the screen. Instead of outdoor games, Onam games have shifted to online games.

Another important thing is the new style of living. With everyone shifting to cities and other countries, people live in small constructive places like flats, apartments and villas, where there is not enough space to engage in traditional games. Due to this, parents and kids are confined to their houses with limited celebrations.

Online contests taking the storm

Competitions like Malayalimanga and Keralasreeman were viral in schools and other institutions during the Onam celebrations. But this was limited to just school and college-going kids. To overcome this, various social media pages have started their own competitions for every age category, and of course, with exciting and attractive prizes.

Online Onamkodi (new clothes) shopping

Onamkodi or new clothes were gifted from senior members of a family to the others. Though this custom is still active, there is a new trend to it. Earlier, the Onamkodi were traditional clothes like sarees, mundus, skirts and blouses. But now modern dresses have taken over. With attractive offers and sales on online shopping sites, everyone loves to shop without even leaving their house.

From togetherness to technology

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Festivals are the time for everyone to come together and celebrate with their families. There was a time when everyone visited their elders at home and spent meaningful time with them. But now, with the arrival of messaging and video-calling technology, festivities are limited to just a call or a message.

The festival Onam has been commercialized. This is not the case with Onam alone; it's the same for most traditional celebrations - an element of modernity is seen. This doesn't wholly affect the spirit and the colour of the festival, but the nostalgic element is missing. It has become just a day to relax and enjoy with the family.