The huge urali was brimming with coins, currency notes, new clothes, tender coconut, konna puvvu (yellow-coloured seasonal flowers), rice, vegetables, and fruits.
After offering prayers to Lord Krishna, Malayalis made a beeline for seeking the blessings of elderly persons who brought smile on their faces by keeping the old-tradition ‘Vishukaineettam’ alive.
Para (a brass bowl) heaped with paddy grains and coconut flowers was kept near urali and ‘kuthu-vilakku’ (traditional lamp). Treating themselves to soothing regional music and traditional dance, members of the Nair Service Society made merry at the Kerala Kala Samithi on Sunday as part of the Vishu celebrations, the Malayalam new year, which was observed on April 15 this year.
Auspicious beginningThe ceremonial viewing of the auspicious items as the first thing on the morning of Vishu signifies fullness, luck, and prosperity. “Arranging ‘para’ with paddy grains and a bunch of coconut flowers is mandatory in all our auspicious ceremonies, including weddings. The sighting of ‘Vishukani’ as first thing in the morning ensures prosperity throughout the year,” said Shanti, a Keralite who has been living in the city for the past 35 years.
As part of the community celebrations, Zia-ul-Haq, popularly known as Ziyas, Idea star singer and playback singer from Kerala, captured the audience with his mesmerising voice. While some enhanced the celebration mood by lending their voice, a few added grace by bringing the classical dance form such as Mohinyattam to the fore. Other than the familiar ‘ada-pradhaman’, dishes like ‘avial’, ‘thoran’, ‘kichedi’ ‘sambar’, and ‘puliserry’ formed part of the ‘Vishu-Sadya’, the traditional feast.
“It is one of the occasions we enjoy meeting, greeting, and spending time with our dear ones as an extended family,” president of the society P. Ravindranath added.
