Onam - 10 days

 

Onam is primarily a family festival, where families gather to celebrate and strengthen their bonds. People travel from far and wide to be with their loved ones during this time. Families engage in various activities, such as preparing for the Sadhya, decorating their homes, and participating in community events. This togetherness is what makes Onam a truly special occasion.

The most prominent story related to the celebration of Onam  is the tale of King Mahabali’s visit. It is said that during his reign, the land flourished, and all his subjects lived in happiness. His annual visit during Onam is marked by grand celebrations, symbolising the return of prosperity and joy. 

The significance of the pookalam (floral decorations) and the grand feast known as Onam Sadhya, are integral parts of the festivities.

One of the most beautiful traditions of Onam is the creation of pookalam, intricate floral designs arranged at the entrance of homes. Each day of the festival, new flowers are added to the pookalam, symbolising growth and welcoming the spirit of King Mahabali. The designs often feature vibrant colours and various floral patterns, making them a feast for the eyes.

The festival begins with Atham and culminates with Thiruvonam, the most important day of the celebration. In 2025, the festival will commence on August 26 and conclude on September 5.

Onam is a time for communal celebrations, where people come together to participate in various events. Local communities organise fairs, cultural programmes, and competitions, fostering a sense of belonging and joy. These events often include traditional games, art exhibitions, and food stalls, allowing everyone to partake in the festivities. 

Day 1 Atham August 26, 2025

Atham🙏

Day 2  Chithira August 27, 2025

Day 3 Chodi August 28, 2025

ചോതി നിറവിന്റെ  പടിയിൽ 

ഞാൻ നിൽക്കവേ....

ഓടിവരുന്നൊരോ ഓർമ്മകളും... 

 ഓണവും വിഷുവും 

ആത്മാംശമാക്കുന്ന അനവധി 

അമ്മമാർ വന്നു ചാരെ...

ഓണനിനവുകൾ ഓർത്ത് 

ചൊല്ലുന്നൊരാ 

ഓമനഹൃദയങ്ങളോർത്തുപോയി.. നേർത്തമോദത്തിലും

ആത്ത മോദം പാടും 

മാനസവീണകളായിരുന്നു 

അവർ ഓണനിലാവ് 

പോലായിരുന്നു... എന്നും...

സ്നേഹ നിലാവ് തെളിച്ചിരുന്നു!

തിരികെ വരാത്തൊരാ 

കാൽപദനങ്ങളും 

ചിരികളുമോർത്ത് 

ഞാൻ നിന്നുപോകെ, 

തുമ്പയും തുളസിയും

നൽ ചിന്തകളായെന്റെ

ഓർമ്മതൻ പൂക്കളംപുണ്യമാക്കി

തുമ്പങ്ങളെല്ലാം തുടച്ചുമാറ്റി

സ്നേഹത്തിൻ മണിവീണ 

മീട്ടുന്ന നിസ്വനം

ഓർമ്മത്താലത്തിൽ 

നിറഞ്ഞീടുമ്പോൾ...

ഏതോ ജ്യോതിയുംപടരുന്നു..

ചോതിയിൽ തീർത്തൊരീ 

പൂക്കളത്തിൽ!

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Sandhya Dharman

Day 4 Vishakam August 29, 2025

Day 5 Anizham August 30, 2025

ചോതി നിറവിന്റെ  പടിയിൽ 

ഞാൻ നിൽക്കവേ....

ഓടിവരുന്നൊരോ ഓർമ്മകളും... 

 ഓണവും വിഷുവും 

ആത്മാംശമാക്കുന്ന അനവധി 

അമ്മമാർ വന്നു ചാരെ...

ഓണനിനവുകൾ ഓർത്ത് 

ചൊല്ലുന്നൊരാ 

ഓമനഹൃദയങ്ങളോർത്തുപോയി.. നേർത്തമോദത്തിലും

ആത്ത മോദം പാടും 

മാനസവീണകളായിരുന്നു 

അവർ ഓണനിലാവ് 

പോലായിരുന്നു... എന്നും...

സ്നേഹ നിലാവ് തെളിച്ചിരുന്നു!

തിരികെ വരാത്തൊരാ 

കാൽപദനങ്ങളും 

ചിരികളുമോർത്ത് 

ഞാൻ നിന്നുപോകെ, 

തുമ്പയും തുളസിയും

നൽ ചിന്തകളായെന്റെ

ഓർമ്മതൻ പൂക്കളംപുണ്യമാക്കി

തുമ്പങ്ങളെല്ലാം തുടച്ചുമാറ്റി

സ്നേഹത്തിൻ മണിവീണ 

മീട്ടുന്ന നിസ്വനം

ഓർമ്മത്താലത്തിൽ 

നിറഞ്ഞീടുമ്പോൾ...

ഏതോ ജ്യോതിയുംപടരുന്നു..

ചോതിയിൽ തീർത്തൊരീ 

പൂക്കളത്തിൽ!

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Sandhya Dharman

Day 6 Thriketta August 31, 2025

Day 7 Moolam September 1, 2025

Day 8  Pooradam September 2, 2025

Day 9 Uthradom September 3, 2025

Day 10 Thiruvonam September 5, 2025

The Onam Sadhya is a grand vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, consisting of a variety of dishes. It typically includes rice, sambar, avial, thoran, and a selection of pickles and desserts. The meal is not just about food; it is a celebration of Kerala’s culinary heritage and is enjoyed by families and communities together. Sharing this meal is a way of expressing love and unity.

Boat Races: Vallam Kali

Vallam Kali, or boat races, are a thrilling part of the Onam celebrations. These races take place in the backwaters of Kerala, where teams compete in long, narrow boats. The atmosphere is electric, with cheering crowds and traditional music adding to the excitement. This event showcases the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie among participants and spectators alike.

The Tiger Dance: Pulikali

Performers paint their bodies like tigers and hunters and dance to traditional beats, entertaining crowds during Onam festivities. The vibrant display of colors, energy, and playful moves makes it one of the most awaited attractions of the festival. Entire towns gather to witness Pulikali, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that reflects the spirit of joy and community bonding.

Traditional Attire: Dressing for Onam

During Onam, people dress in traditional attire to celebrate the festival. Women often wear the kasavu saree, which is a cream-coloured saree with a golden border, while men typically wear the mundu, a traditional garment. Dressing up in these outfits adds to the festive spirit and reflects the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.

Cultural Performances: Dance and Music are integral part of Onam. 

Kummattikali & Folk Arts

Kummattikali: Mask dances performed door-to-door.

Onathallu: Martial art-style combat re-enactment.

Thiruvathirakali: Graceful women’s group dance around a lamp.

Kathakali & Mohiniyattam: Classical performances narrating stories from epics.

Some regions also continue celebrations with post-Onam days like Avittom and Chathayam, extending it up to 12 days. These dates are significant as they outline the various rituals and celebrations that take place during the festival. 

Naseeruddin & Ratna

 

Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah have been married for 43 years. Despite theirs being an interfaith marriage, both have shared that their families never strongly opposed their union. In a recent interview, Ratna opened up about what has kept their marriage strong for over four decades.

“Simply put, the desire to stay married, and friendship. Common interests definitely help. At least in my case, I’ve seen all these three have been important. We did want to be together, very much so. Both of us had similar views about theatre and films,” said Ratna, who also collaborates with Naseeruddin Shah in their theatre company, Motley Productions.

She further explained, “We didn’t have to face too much opposition. People made a little noise here and there. Not like today. I don’t know what’d happen if we were to marry today. I guess we won’t be allowed to. But in those days, it was much easier. Neither of us is particularly religious, so we were able to take that decision quite easily,” in her conversation with Faye D’Souza.

Ratna also recalled, “What also helped is what Naseer said: let’s not try to define our relationship. Does it have to be husband-wife, lover, girlfriend-boyfriend, whatever it is? Let’s see where we go.” The two have also appeared together in films, including Amol Palekar’s 2005 supernatural romance Paheli (as voice artists) and Abbas Tyrewala’s 2008 rom-com Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (as husband and wife).

Speaking about their differing views on acting, she admitted that it has led to many arguments. “I am going to quote from Naseer, ‘You shouldn’t want to be an actor unless you feel you will die if you don’t act.’ I am not one of those types. I am sorry. I had lots of arguments with Naseer about this. How can he say that? What happens to me? I don’t feel I will die if I can’t act! I love acting, I enjoy it, I do it with extreme concentration and seriousness. But I don’t think that is the only thing I want out of life. He said, no. ‘If you want to be an actor-actor, full-time, career actor then it has to be that important for you,’” Ratna said.

In an earlier interview with Hauterrfly, Ratna revealed that while Naseeruddin’s conventional Muslim family was more accepting of their marriage, her parents — businessman Baldev Pathak and actor Dina Pathak — were not fully convinced. “My dad was not entirely happy, but unfortunately, he passed away before we got married. Maa and Naseer had a more rocky relationship, but they settled also and eventually became friends.”

Adding to the challenges, Naseeruddin Shah already had a daughter, actor Heeba Shah, from his first marriage, which ended early. Ratna and Heeba continue to collaborate in Motley Productions, while Ratna and Naseer have two sons together — musician Imaad Shah and author Vivaan Shah, both of whom followed in their parents’ footsteps as actors.

During a panel at the FICCI Flo summit in Hyderabad earlier this year, Ratna admitted she sometimes feels overshadowed by her husband’s career but has accepted it. “It has been the most fantastic, fun ride I could have imagined. I did not really think it would be possible to have a friendship that lasts so long in such an intimate kind of a setting, but it’s the friendship that has lasted, and that is the most precious thing. That friendship has been created because we work together. I am all for people from the same field getting together. It definitely is a way of supporting, helping and finding common areas of interest; it is quite invaluable,” she said.

Naseeruddin Shah, one of the most respected actors in Indian cinema, is admired for his powerful performances and unique choice of films. While fans know him for his professional achievements, his personal life has some lesser-known chapters.

Before his well-known marriage to Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin was married at a young age to Parveen Murad. He was just 19 years old, while Parveen was 34 at the time. Reports suggest that Naseeruddin was a student at Aligarh Muslim University when they first met. Parveen, a divorcee with children, reportedly caught his attention, and the two tied the knot in 1969 in a traditional ceremony. Within a year, the couple welcomed their only daughter, Heeba.

However, their marriage faced challenges from the beginning. Family opposition was a major issue. Naseeruddin’s family was concerned about the age difference and Parveen’s past, while Parveen’s family insisted on a large alimony arrangement in case of a separation. Over time, differences in priorities and perspectives led to a gradual separation. Naseeruddin Shah eventually took nearly 12 years to settle the 

alimony.

This chapter of his life shows a different side of the veteran actor—one marked by early responsibilities, personal challenges, and life lessons beyond the film industry. Despite the difficulties, he went on to build a remarkable career while also managing his personal commitments.