1 Editor’s Note Dear Fellow Rotarians, Anns and Annets, cultural elements. Some of I am very happy and delighted at this time of the them are Vallam Kali, Pulikali, year. I have been away from my home for many Atha Pookkalam, Onatthappan, years and returned to Kerala just 3 years ago. Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Celebrating Onam is something we Malayalees Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc. do automatically along with relatives & friends, irrespective of cast, creed or religion. When in Dubai & Saudi Arabia, my wife Shila with the help of some of our family friends, be it a Christian, Muslim, Pujabi or Pakistani, used to come up with a nice “Ona-sadya”, a sumptuous meal, and invite our neighbors and friends in our compound to enjoy it, followed by some entertainment by children and ladies. It used to be a whole day long program of fun, fellowship Children making traditional pookkalam in front of the house and entertainment. I missed this during the first year of our return to India. However, after Onam falls in the month of Chingam, which is I joined Rotary Club, during my second year of the first month according to the Malayalam return, we could become part of the team and Calendar. The celebrations begin within a celebrate Onam with all the Rotarians, Anns and fortnight of the Malayalam New Year and go on Annets. I am happy to have joined the Rotary for ten days. All over the state of Kerala, festive Club of Kazhakuttom which offer my wife Shila rituals, traditional cuisine, dance and music and I a lot of friendship & comraderie, fellowship mark this harvest festival. The ten day Onam and fun which is important to everyone in this festival is considered to be flagged off with busy world. ‘Athachamayam’. The main center of festival is at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple within I will now attempt to briefly highlight what Onam Kochi City, believed to be the ancient capital of really is mostly for the benefit of our Annets. King Mahabali. The temple is dedicated to Lord Onam (HmWw) is a harvest festival celebrated by Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological the people Kerala. It is also the state festival background of Onam. of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting The ten days of Onam are celebrated with great from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the 4th Onam fanfare, by Malayalees. Of all these days, most Day. Onam Festival falls during the Malayalam important ones are the first day, Atham, and the month of Chingam (Aug-Sep) and marks the tenth and final day, Thiru-Onam (Thiruvonam). commemoration of “Vamana avatara” of The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of its best form and spirit during the festival. King Mahabali. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala’s agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest Pookalam festival. The festival of Onam marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who, we Malayalees, used to consider as our King. It is one of the festivals celebrated with most number of 2 A Pookalam in front of every House is seen in Thiruvathira Kali during Onam festival the olden days. The floral carpet, known as ‘Onapookkalam’ is made out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator’s purpose to make it more and more beautiful to look at. It is considered a work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. (In a similar Traditional dance forms including Thiruvathira, manner North Indians make something called Kummattikali, Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal etc. are “Rangoli” which is made of powders of various performed as part of celebrations all over Kerala colors.) When completed, a miniature pandal, at this time. Thiruvathirakali is women’s dance hung with little festoons is erected over it. performed in a circle around a lamp. Kummattikali is a famous and colorful-mask dance. In Thrissur, Traditionally, Atthapookalams (pookalam made festivities includes a procession consisting of on the Atham day) included flowers endemic to caparisoned elephants surrounded by Kummatikali Kerala and the Dashapushpam (10-flowers), but dancers. The masked dancers go from house to nowadays all varieties of flowers are used. Earthen house performing the colorful Kummattikali. mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana Among several artistic performances, “Pulikali”, are placed in the cow dung-plastered courtyards also known as “Kaduvakali” is a common sight in front of the house along with the Pookalam, during Onam season. This dance showcases and beautifully decorated with flowers. In the performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red recent years, the floral designs have evolved from and black, who dance to the beats of instruments the traditional circular shape to unique designs like Udukku and thakil. depicting different cultural and social aspects of Pulikali (Tiger dance) Kerala life. All over Kerala, ‘Pookalam’ competitions are a common sight on Onam day. Onam Sadya (feast) The ‘’Vallamkali” (the snake boat race) is another event that is synonymous with Onam. Well-known races include the Aranmula Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. About 100 oarsmen The Onam festival is not complete without row huge and graceful snake boats and men and the typical Onam sadya (feast). It is another women come from far and near to watch the indispensable part of Thiruvonam, and almost snake boats skim through the water. every Keralite enjoy. The feast is served on plantain Onam is now at our door step. The Club is planning leaves and have more than 13 to 15 curries, along to celebrate it during this month. Let us all look with traditional pickles, papadam and ‘payasam’ forward to a splendid Onam festival this year, with served as desert. (a sweet dish made of milk, sugar, all family members, enjoy fun and fellowship and jaggery and other traditional Indian savories). In light up rotary. hotels and temples, the number of curries and Rtn. Balan Bhaskaran dishes may go up to 30. Bulletin Editor 3 President’s Message Dear Rotarians, Anns and Annets, ruled his land with fairness and truth generating friendliness This time I have every reason to converse with you and concern for one another. on celebrating Onam. At the outset, I very sincerely This festival also reminds and most cordially wish each and every one of you us of the Indian pledge: All a VERY HAPPY ONAM! For us Malayalees, Onam is human beings are my brothers nostalgic and exciting every year with a newness and sisters. Onam is the only incomparable to anything else we celebrate every year. Onam is celebrated not only in Kerala, but festival celebrated irrespective of caste and creed. also in every corner of this globe where there is a Rotary is a platform unique in terms of its secular Malayalee living, whether he/she is poor or rich, and democratic processes. Therefore, during Onam, irrespective of caste and creed, colour and race. It is it is our responsibility to work for unity and justice a festival of every one of us. among ourselves and among our fellow human Not only man but also nature celebrates this unique beings. This is my humble point for pondering over festival of harvest, this time, though with lots of rain. during this Onam festival season. It gives the strong message of unity and justice. It Rtn. Jerry Fernandez is political in the sense that it speaks of a king who President FIRST FAMILY MEETING: ROTARY FAMILY JOYFULLY TOGETHER: GLIMPSES FROM THE FIRST FAMILY MEETING HELD AT SFS CENTER POINT ON 30TH AUG 2014 4 RI PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - SEPTEMBER 2014 One of the great privileges of being president of Rotary International is having the chance to visit so many parts of the Rotary world. Usually I travel to participate in Rotary events; speak at Rotary clubs, conferences, and institutes; and encourage Rotarians in their service. But as president, I am responsible for all branches of the Rotary family. This means that it is also my privilege to support the service of Rotary’s youngest generations: our Rotaractors, Interactors, Rotary Youth Exchange students, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards participants. When I see the work Rotarians do, I am always impressed, always excited, and always inspired. When I see the work of our New Generations, I am all of this – and frequently I am surprised as well. Not by the quality of their work – for I have learned to expect great things from them – but by the creativity and ingenuity of their thinking. I look at what they have done and think not just “What a great job!” but “What a great idea!” Because every generation sees the world in a unique way, and every individual has a unique point of view. Faced with the same problems, we arrive at different solutions. This is why, in Rotary, our diversity – of culture, language, expertise, gender, and age – is our strength. In Rotary, we try to take the long view in our service. We aspire to serve in ways that will make a lasting difference, that will continue to have an impact after our participation ends. Our younger generations, in my experience, share this sentiment, and apply it globally, by focusing on environmental issues in new and innovative ways. When I became a Rotarian, environmental issues were barely on our radar. To young people today, these concerns are front and center. Their perspective is a valuable contribution to the world of Rotary service, and it is one that we should all encourage and support.