The condition was that he will be permitted to visit his land “Gods own Country”, once an year to see and experience his first love: the welfare of the people.
The story deciphers few interesting points:
- The songs depicting the rule of Mahabali explicitly talks about a “perfect society” in vogue.
- In all Avatars of Lord Vishnu, the evils have been killed; whereas in this form, He blessed Mahabali to complete his fulfillment of attaining the Conscience of perfect Dharma.
- It depicts a socialist period with the concept of ‘welfare nation”.
- The equality in all respects of life among humans, the honesty among people, the shared wealth and ‘affluence with the available resources ” would be rated as the perfect one for “Happiness Index”.
- Mahabali was a just ruler, with sincere thoughts on the welfare of his people.
- He was powerful king, and humble enough to show his head to be measured as the last step, with all humility.
The story thus carries the messages of welfare, socialism, prosperity through sharing, non-violence and many more. Onam is thus a philosophy of understanding life through sharing and giving. The principle of administration of the land is one of the examples many political parties achieve to do now.
Onam has symbols on all fronts. We try to re-live all these symbols in a way in which its possible, during the present COVID time. But essentially the message is of togetherness, helping others and staying safe. The digital platforms help us in these virtually to ensure the spirit and joy, amidst the great efforts by many to save the country from the spread of the pandemic.
- The festival of Onam reminds us of pre dominantly “Agri-culture”, and the harvest season, with many of the activities associated with that which offered a good time to people: food, fun, festival.
- Meeting parents. Over generations, Onam started to be the most expected period of the loved ones to join their homes, (where parents lived), from different parts of the world. With globalization, and accelerated transport facilities connecting the world (and inside India), and differential commitments of children and relatives across the Globe, people used to occasionally visit the parents as and when they get time. The committed Onam visits are slowly getting diluted.
- the Swing(commonly tied on trees/branches) which informs the arrival of the festival,
- the Pookalam (the flower pattern display created on the floor) for 10 days starting from the star day of “Atham” to “Thiruvonam”: the children searching and collecting flowers locally available. A pookalam depicts the efforts of learning participation, searching, knowing local flowers and plants, spirit of togetherness, participation in designing and creating the pookalam.
- Poovili-and the traditional songs. We have some excellent songs by great singers too in the last few decades on “onam”.
- “Onakkodi”- getting new clothes for Onam. The value of Onakkodi years back when people use to get new clothes usually only during Onam or some festivals/occasions has changed a lot now. With clothes of different ranges available abundantly in the present days, and people buying them occasionally Onakkodi still stands a symbol of inherited culture.
- The season was rich with many special sports activities in the villages. The boat races are more prominent now with other sports becoming popular (cricket, volleyball, football..) in places. Women were involved in different dances unique for the time.
- Ona Sadya (the full special food) the traditional food served in banana leaf continues to be the hall mark of the phenomenon of ONAM.
You name it: Onam has everything in it. It’s a philosophy, culture, governance and ideology beyond the celebrations. And now for the COVID 19 time, it’s also celebrations with safety, joy with sacrifice and service with humanity.
The yearly arrival of Mahabali rejuvenates people to get reminded of a culture of “equality”, and “cohesive humanness”. It creates the feeling of oneness and prosperity among all, and leaves us to have hope and happiness for addressing the present day needs with dedication, till the next visit of the King.
