Mahabali(Maveli) , Onam And Kerala Floods. Poem by Rajesh Thankappan

In Mid-August of 2018, severe flood hit the Indian coastal state of Kerala, which is my home state too. In was the worst flood that the state has witnessed in about a century. It has left over 373 people dead and caused immense destruction to land and property. On my personal front, I would like to reassure my reader, that, none of my immediate kith and kin suffered any serious damages though a couple of them unfortunately got caught the deluge.

Now, coming to the theme and background of this poem, I would like to inform my readers that Onam, which is the official state festival of Kerala, is a festival with its origins in the state of Kerala. The festivities, usually commences with Thiru Onam which incidentally falls tomorrow i.e. on 25.08.2018. This festival commemorates the Vamana avatar, who is an incarnation of the Hindu God, Lord Vishnu, and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali, who, according to the legends, was banished to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu.The Emperor Mahabali, whom we also fondly call Maveli, by the virtue of a boon granted to him by Lord Vishu, is believed to make an annual visit to his erstwhile subjects during the day of Thiru Onam. The people of Kerala welcome him dressed in traditional attire and by serving him food amidst great fanfare. Onam celebration includes Vallam Kali (boat races) , Pulikali (tiger dances) , Pookkalam (flower arrangements) , Kummattikale(mask dance)Onavvillu (music) etc., etc., along with wearing of new clothes.

This time around the celebrations would definitely be muted keeping in view the unprecedented floods.Here, I would like to thank my countrymen, the Govt. of India, all the State Governments and various Indian and foreign NGOs who have actively come to the rescue of people of Kerala in these difficult times.

(Written and posted on 24.08.2018)