With summer's arrival
A time for festivals
Two adjacent counties in rivalry
Competing in spirit friendly
The festival honouring the Diety
Nellikulamkara`s Goddes Bhagavathy.
Two processions proceeding
At the Bhagavathy temple meeting
On the festival`s twentieth day
Caparisoned elephants make their way
On either sides of the lead elephant
In formation each side five elephants.
With each other the two counties compete
Four percussion, one wind instrument replete
The Panchavadhyam tempo rising
Musicians, improvisations making.
Fireworks brightening the night sky
Multi-tiered explosions way up high
Cascading coloured lights
Cheered by all in great delight.
In the Brahmin Village
Temple diety given homage
An annual Cart Ceremony
Two cart ropes pulled by many
Men women and children take part
With great effort move the cart.
Two elephants at the rear
Pushing wheels obstacles to clear
Padded trunks making easy work
This way the cart gently rocks
When cart has to turn sharper
One wheel pushed harder
Under the wheel a wedge placed
Skilled action getting much praise.
A tall pyramid six or more tiered
With lights and flowers decorated
The deity on a central platform installed
Flowers, fruits by devotees offered
To many the deity comes alive
Faith and blessings many derive.
A long stout bamboo Kummatti pole
Sixty or more frames it holds
Flower wreaths tapering
Bigger wreaths below
Smaller ones above.
Ropes now in position
Pulled in unison
This way the pole lifted
Borne along well balanced.
The village centre with a deity
A shrine for Mannatha Muthi
The village Grandmother
With great protecting powers
Homage to her proffered
Sketches and dances offered
Many nights’ people gather
Enjoying what they have to offer.
Sketches and dances to show
Past life styles as they flow
In the days of prohibition
A British Excise Officer`s exhibition
An Illegal toddy tapper sentencing
With a heavy fine imposing
All roles by males played
Female roles true to life made
Onam a National Kerala Festival
A Harvest Festival
Feasts, folk songs sances
Games, elephants, boat races
Ladies Onakali perform
Intricate flower mats as Pookalam.
During August – Sptember
King Mahabali to remember
A change of mood to all
A season with a welcome call.
M P P
14.10.16
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