VISHU FESTIVAL OF KERALA

Among the various Hindu festivals in Kerala, Vishu occupies a unique position
in more than one respect. As symbol of the unostentatious Malayali, Vishu is
free from the usual pomp and show and merry-making associated with other 
festivities. When almost all the festivals are connected in some way or other
with religion, Vishu has nothing to do with it, though it is observed with
religious solemnity. The first day for Medam is the unchangeable day of
Vishu, whereas other festivals are determined according to the lunar 
asterisms on which they fall.


This day on which Vishu falls is the astronomical new year day and it
is celebrated as such. The Malayalis believe that the fortunes for the year
depend upon the nature of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu
Day. In order to fulfill the desire to look at the auspicious articles, they
prepare a 'Kani' (anomen) on the previous day for seeing in the next morning.
In circular bell-metal vessel known as 'Urule' some raw rice is put and over
it a folded newly washed cloth is spread. A golden coloured cucumber, betel
leaves, betel nuts, metal mirror, yellow flowers of Konna tree
(cassia fistula), a Grandha (book of palm leaves) and a few gold coins are
then placed over the cloth in the vessel arranged in a decorative fashion.
Two coconut halves containing oil and lighted wicks are also placed in the
vessel which illuminate the articles inside it. A bell-metal lamp filled
with coconut oil is kept burning by the side of the vessel. Early in the
morning of the Vishu at about 5 O'clock, one of the members of the house,
usually the eldest female member gets up and lights the lamp and looks at
' Kani' . She wakes up other member, one after another and the Kani is shown
to everyone of them, taking particular care not to allow anyone to look by 
chance at other things. The vessel is taken to the bedside to the members or
if it is too big to be carried, it is placed at one spot and the members are
led there blind-folded. Even the cattle are not deprived of this privilege,
as the Kani is taken to the cattle-shed and placed before them to have a look.




The next item is giving of handsel (Kaineetom). The eldest member of 
the family takes some silver coins and gives them to a junior member with some
raw rice and Konna flower. This is repeated in the case of other members also
and they in turn give such handsel to their juniors, relatives, servants etc.
After this the children begin to fire crackers.


In the morning all talk bath and put on their forehead the marks of
ashes and sandal paste and go to the temple for worship. After worship, they
prepare a feast which is moderate and elegant.


In certain parts of Kerala, where the paddy cultivation commences 
after the monsoon, there is an observance called chal (Furrow) closely
associated with Vishu . This is nothing but the auspicious commencement of
the agricultural operations, in the new year.


Customs and manners may change from region to region, but the belief
of the Malayali that his fortune for the year depends on the first thing he
sees on the astronomical New Year day, is shared by the people of other 
countries also in different forms. For example, in European countries there
is a belief that the first person who enters a house on the New Year day is 
supposed to have an influence on the inhabitants of that house for the whole
year.


What has been offered to the readers in the foregoing paragraphs is
only a resume of the fairs and festivals of Kerala, which we do not claim as
exhaustive. Some of Kerala's fairs and festivals have a religious character 
and others secular. Some are rooted in hoary myths and other connected with 
man's attitude towards nature, fertility and harvest. Some of the festivals 
are of a universal nature. Whatever be the origin of the fairs and festivals
 of this land, whether religious or secular, whether some of them are
celebrated within the entire country or even outside, Kerala has given
them a colour and tenor of her own.


In spite of all their difficulties and tribulations, the people
of Kerala have a joyous approach to life. This innocent joy is given vent
in all the fairs and festivals of the land. This is also the secret of the
different castes festivals of each other and contributing to a truly
cosmopolitan life.