Inspired by Solilo,I’m encouraged to share this here on my page as well.
According to the Malayalam calendar,Chingam is the first month of the year.Today,the first day of the month marks the beginning of the New Year,locally referred to as Andu Pirappu
Chingam marks the advent of spring after the rain-filled season of Karkidakam.People of Kerala welcome this month to usher in the harvest season.Hence particularly auspicious for farmers.Onam,one of the most popular festivals of Kerala,is celebrated in this month,which falls in August-Septemer.It is believed that in olden times the whole of Chingam month was observed as the Onam season.
I,like any malayali,feel very festive and positive during the entire period.I remember how,I used to look forward to the festivities around me.How in school,I used to wait for the after class practice sessions for Onam celebrations!How I used to wait for those umpteen TV shows which showed me glimpses of festive Kerala and made me yearn to go there just to witness it myself!Not to mention the grandiose feast,the Ona-sadya which my Amma and Ammamma would prepare for us!
Ah!those were the days!
So,heres wishing you all,especially my fellow malayalis,a Happy New Year!May the year bring us all joy,happiness & prosperity.
EDITED TO ADD:Regarding the virtual Ona Sadya,those of you who are willing to share a recipe of your choice,it will be nice if you would specify the dish that you’ll be sharing on your page,beforehand like Crafty offered to share her mom’s Inji-pulli recipe on the comment-thread.I can share the recipe for Sambhar or Avial or both.
This way,I think we can avoid repetition of recipes and confusion thereby!
Perceptions 
🙂 🙂
D: the smiley is synonymous with you now,Swaram 😀 !
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Happy New Year Deepu 🙂
Will b bk to read!
D: Thank you,re..will be waiting
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Swaram…read and then reply to comment…what is this…commenting without reading…how disrespectful….!!!!
D:Arre!you dont realise,na,masood…she has vested interest…of coming first,right Swaram?? 😀 😀
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Yes .. n letting Deeps know I luv her 🙂 Muaaaahssss 🙂
D: Muahs to you too,sweetie! 🙂
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Happy New Year Deeps 🙂
D: Thank you, 🙂
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I wannaa go home 😦
D: Me too me too,SJ 😦
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hey I get ona sadhya invites from my friends and i love the spread!! have a great festive time, am sure you would be having a good community in qatar?Enjoy!!
D: You do?Wow!I love sadya too!yes there are those Kerala associations which organize Onam feasts here.but we have no plans to take part in them.this wl be our first Onam since our move to Doha,so I’m yet to see how it will go 🙂 .
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I want to go back home too 😦
You know, when we lived in a house with a garden, our neighbours on one side were also mallus , so we used to make the Pookallam together – for all those 10 days! That was an amazing time! We used to have such fun, we even made mavellis from clay 🙂
D: Wow!I can imagine how amazing it must have been! When I was in muscat,my friends(some of them were tamilians) & I would be all decked up,on Onam, in Kasavu Mundu-Veshthi and organize a sadya in one of the houses.It was so much fun,you know,Smits 🙂
This year, we are celebrating Onam properly – with a proper sadya. Another friend is joining me and we plan to cook and enjoy the sadya 🙂
D: Great!we haven’t planned anything so far.will let you know if something lines up.Else we have our virtual sadya for sure.I’m so looking forward to it 🙂
Last year, I made a sadya and had a friend over for lunch – when Poohi fell, hurt her head and had to rush her into the emergency 😦 Hopefully, this year will be less disastrous.
D: Ayyoda!I’m sure poohikutty will be fine this year. Ummas to her
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hey u have someone who is cooking with u for onam. I have my husband- who is a pain in the kitchen btw- for company * bangs head on the metal wall* So i deserve to be sent back home not you smitha!
D:*this is a call out to SJ’s husand* “please dont enter the kitchen while she is cooking and make her barge out of the house back to her homeland, at least till Onam!We need her for our virtual sadya!” Did he hear us,SJ?? 😀
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My dear soul sistahs 😛 Please enlighten me abt Pookallam and mavellis. I cn only make out the former is something to do with flowers 😛
Is it those rangolis?
D: Swaram,Maaveli/Mahabali was a very popular Asura king of ancient Kerala,who,according to mythology,was so powerful a king that he took control of all three worlds.But he was a greatly respected and righteous king.There was always peace and prosperity during his reign.Everyone was happy and treated equally in his kingdom.
Devas or demigods were disturbed by his growing popularity.Being an asura,Mahabali was considered unsafe and a grave threat.They approached Lord Vishnu,who assured them of His help.
Mahabali,while doing a yagam was confronted by the Lord in the reincarnated form of a brahmin boy named Vamana.Vamana asked him for three paces of land.The king,who had vowed that he would not refuse anyone while the yagam was on,couldnt refuse him.When Vamana measured the worlds and sky in two paces,Bali offered himself for the third pace.He was thus sent to nether-land(paataalam).But before being banished,he was granted a boon.So he asked for permission to visit his subjects once every year.
From then on,it is believed Onam is celebrated in honour of the great King.
As for your other query,yes,Pookalam is a rangoli of sorts.Its a floral decoration laid mainly on the front courtyard of malayali homes during Onam. 🙂
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Hey thanks Deepu 🙂
I know abt Mahabali but never knew Mavelli is the same 🙂 We celebrate ‘Balipadyami’ during Diwali when we worship Bali Chakravarthy by building and decorating a for for him using cowdung n lots of flowers 🙂 So, thatz unity in diversity in India hai na 🙂
D: Wow,I didnt know about ‘Balipadyami’! That sure is unity in diversity 🙂
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Sorry – forgot to mention – Happy new year 🙂
D: Thank you,Smits 🙂
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It’s been ages since I got to feast on a full Onam sadya. As a kid I was always invited to every single house in the neighbourhood and the whole day was spent with me taking the role of Food Tasting Officer in a pattu pavada…good old days…sobs. Now for Onam we try to go to some rotten Indian restaurant and eat a Buffet and I crib and whine about how different it is back in Kerala while the husband wishes that he could stamp on my head and send me to accompany Maveli ji.
D: LOL @ Food tasting Officer in pattu pavada! talking of pattu pavada,it looks so so nice on girls,na..I rememer how I used to hate wearing it but now,every opportunity I get I end up getting one stitched for Namnam!
Happy New Year to you too…making sadya or shall we tell smithu too treat us to her Bundt Cake?
D: Thank you,Saksh 🙂 . Bundt cake will be a good idea..instead of the traditional ada-pradaman,we can have the cake for dessert 😀
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Sakshi, I plan to do a sadya this time – interested? The only thing I can tell you confidently is that I have made a sadya just once before – so partake at your own risk 🙂
D: So long as you give us a guarantee that you will not put sugar instead of salt in your saambhar,aviyal,koottu,elasseri and all that,I’m sure it will be worth taking the risk 🙂
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Happy new year to all of us !!!!!!!! 😀 😀
D:Thats the spirit,Hitchy!And welcome back..how was the wedding?
are there any treats happening ?? I didnt get any food !!!!
D:Tumhare liye specially,we’re organizing a virtual ona-sadya…get ready to devour,betaji 😀
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thats what.. if it were a gujarati festival the first thing that would come to mind would be foood or prasad… !!! baaki sab uske baad… !! lol… !!!!
the wedding was goood… the vacation after that was even better… !! totally rejuvenated… !!
D: arre why is your new gravatar showing on my page??I tried refreshing the cookies still not happening 😦
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Yes Deepu puthuvalsrasamsakal to u and ur malayali friends there. Today we too celebrated chingam onn, in school. All of us malayalees wore setmundu and had semiya payasam. Come over fast. Will make sadya for u on Onam. kothyavnundo?Vegam vannolu
D: Kodiyavundo??Adendu chodyam,ma??I’m drooling here 😀 !! Dont think can make it for Onam,ma but will plan something for a later date.lets c.will let you know 🙂
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Thank you, Auntie. 😀
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You know what Deeps – we should all celebrate a virtual onam on the blogs – may be a day earlier – I think all of us might end up busy on Onam day – what say?
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What Deeps having too much fun on Smitha’s place and neglecting your fans here…reloaded your blog at least 20 times the in the past 1 min (40 times was reloading smithus) to check for ur invitation to an Onam Sadya.
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I think, Deeps has gotten busy – unlike the two of us jobless women 😦 I have another 2 hours to timepass – then its a mad rush to get the house in order and pretend that I have been very busy – doing housework 😉
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just sneaked in while R & N went out!
Smitha..I’m all for the virtual ona sadya..lets have a recipe each at our pages,a day prior to onam,what say? It will e so much fun,na?
Its an invite to all you guys…are you all with me??
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Yes yes! Do you have to sneak too? Me too! I am banned from blogging at weekends and any other times, that my husband happens to be at home. He gets super irritated when I giggle at my laptop 😉
D: Arre,R flares up whenever he sees me even hovering around my comp.So its practically ‘shut down’ when he is around 🙂
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Yes, lets do one recipe each – a day prior to Onam! Deeps – great idea – we will also get a full repository of dishes we can try out the next day too 🙂 Fun!
I am all excited!
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excellent…!!
Who all are on board? the more the merrier,people 🙂
gotta go..doorbell!
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Y virtual 😛
My address is
xxxxx, yyyy
zzzz
….., *****
Pliss to courier both of u 😛
D: Ha Ha Hee Hee..very funny!
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My rush hour is very well disciplined. Bharathiya Pati vratha wife from 6 am to 8 am, Housekeeper and Butler form 8am to 9am, Blog Commenting Sensation from 9 am till I see my husbands car on the drive way….then its again the dedicated wife and mother
D: Saashtaang,Sakshidevi! You’re our idol 😀
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Ha ha .. gud one 😉
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Whoa virtual sadya? count me in too and I will drag in SJ for free
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Happy New year Deeps! HUgs. I thought your new year was “Ugadi”. Is that for Tamilians? so confused..
How was the day?
D: Thank you,Mish!hugs back to you 🙂
Ugadi is observed by people from Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka.Its their New Year.It falls in March-April,around the time Keralites celebrate Vishu.In fact this is the time when most parts of India celebrate New Year.
The day went just as usual.Nothing major.Looking forward to Onam though 🙂
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Mish, In olden times Kerala New Year was in April and it is called ‘Vishu’. We still celebrate that but after revision of Malayalm calendar, the year started with Chingam so now Chingam 1 is New Year for us. So basically we celebrate April and August, both. 😀
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Mish or anyone, To clear doubt
http://mesoliloquy.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/happy-vishu-vishuaashamsakal/
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hey thanks for the info Sols and Deeps. I was a little confused. We would have extensive Ugadi celebrations in college and everyone would attend. It was so much fun.
I remember wishing everyone “Ugadi Subhakangshiloo”. How do you guys wish each other for new years?? 🙂
D:we say,’ puduvalsarashamsakal!’ in Malayalam 🙂
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Pudha Varsha Aashamshagal Deeps!!!!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{festive hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}
this write up is lovely, as is ur glimpse into childhood!
i wasn’t and am not that connected to the culture n traditions of kerala…somehow…had relatives who veered towards the materialistic than the festive beauty…PAH!
but this is lovely! so was Soli’s post on Ramayana maasam and that trivia on Bible maasam too!
D: Yes that was a wonderful and an insightful post from Sols 🙂
i think, i might just learn and fall in love with the culture through ur eyes!!!! sounds good to me!!!
D: 🙂
and that sadya??? lemme see if i can pester mommy to give in a recipe and participate!!! she makes HEAVENLY injjim pulli!!!! 😀 😀
D: Grrreat,Crafty.please do that.Injim-pulli is an essential item in all the sadyas.Do share the recipe with us 🙂
love u! and hugs to Namnam!!!!
D: You too,sweetie!((((HUGS)))) from me & Namnam
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What is Injim-pulli ???
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That is a beautiful picture? Who took it? The Nehru boat race was last week, I think.
D: Image courtesy Google Images,Sols..hee hee
Puthuvatsara Aashamsakal to you, R and Nammu chakkara.
D: Thank you,Sols!Ummmas to Peanutkutty 🙂
BTW,are you game for the virtual ona sadya?
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Happy New Year Deeps! 🙂 🙂
I didn’t have you on blogroll, so kept missing out on the lovely posts!
Now, that’s solved! Have added you! 🙂
D: Thank you,Pixie,now will look forward to your
spamsvisits more often 😉 😀LikeLike
hi every body! this is a great post with really interesting comments and plans for sadya! can i suggest a blog for all items of malayalee sadya.
the blog is AMBROSIA, IN WHICH I VENTURED TO POST A FEW RECIPES AND A WHOLE LOT OF ITEMS FOR A SADYA. Please do visit
D: The link is here
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Nice! I ws infact looking for recipes of the traditional Kerala items 🙂 Wil visit soon 🙂
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yea.. super cool! 🙂
Will try to prepare something! I have never tried Cooking Kerala Cuisine till date except avial!
D: That will be great,Pix!So you’ll share the Avial recipe then? Then I’ll make Sambhar…virtually I mean,on 1st 😀
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Nice post Deeps! It ws so nice to see Kerala during the monsoon. All green n waterfalls everywhere – Awesome!
D: It was raining in Munnar too,Swaram?waiting for the snaps..upload them soon 🙂
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WOW!! you got your license! Bow Bow Bow..I am bowing to you..1 time 2 times 3 times..am all bent bowing!! Congratulations!! all the levels as you mentioned exist here, so I have to clear the road now before the ROP stops saying mafi!Try again inshallah next time!!
D: arre baap re!so much of bowing…you’re flattering me now,Sujata 😀 !I know how important it is to get a license here and once you get it,its as though you’ve got a new lease of life! I’ve heard ROPs too are quite lenient towards women.Good luck to you again 🙂
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Sheesh I’m ashamed….never knew there was so much importance attached to this month.
All chingam maasam reminds me of is tht song “Chinga maasam vannu chernaal ninne nyan en swanthaamaakam”
😀
D: 😆 😆 trust you to come up with that! I love that song but..Dilip’s dancing is very funny :D!
And welcome back,Nance! So good to see you 🙂
(((HUGS)))
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oooops forgot to wish u….Happy New year Deeps!!!!
D: Thank you 🙂
And Solilo thanks for tht additional info!!!!
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Happy New Year Deeps!!! though I am a little late:(
The picture in this post is beautiful.
D:Thank you,Renu 🙂
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Happy New Year, Deepu! Even I was thinking that New year starts with Vishu. So you are celebrating both New Years!
Waiting to see the ona sadya!
D: Thank you,Sandhya 🙂 . I’m looking forward to the sadya too,the virtual one..it will be great if we have your cheedais and murukkus too 🙂
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I mean virtual Ona-sadya!
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Deeps, there are people queuing up for shampoo – check out comment from my previous post 🙂
http://wordsndreamz.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/when-in-despair/#comment-4249
D: Yeah,saw them and left my karaara replies too 😀
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Is cheese cake recipe allowed for the virtual onam sadya? I tell you I make yummy mango cheese cake. We practically live on that one to celebrate all kinds of festival from onam, diwali, independence day to Halloween.. See such an all rounder recipe it is…sobs!!
D: Absolutely,Saksh..it will be a great dessert to have!do share it 🙂
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How do we serve a wobbly cheese cake on a plantain leaf?? Wow I want to patent the idea…history will remember me as that great chef who introduced cheese cake in an Onam sadya..I am delighted.
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Mango cheesecake! Saksh please send me that recipe -My husband will worship you for that 🙂 Mango and cheesecake – his favs 🙂
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Aioo what a good husband you have…mine eats all the cake and never utters a word. If I ask how it was all he says is “Uhh you made it no? the usual one…it’s tastes the same every time”. Next time I am gonna put some chilli paste on top to get at least some interesting reply.
It’s very easy I can mail you the recipe 🙂
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hey,share it with all of us,na…
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Happy New Year Deeps….never knew about this…thanks for sharing this!!!
D: Thank you,Nazish 🙂
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I used to dislike the pavadai concept too. But I LOVE the traditional cream-n-gold saris that Mallus wear. Its so very elegant! And the typical Mallu jewellery is so beautiful too.
Btw, the recipe idea is great! I will try to contribute smething worthwhile 🙂
D: That will e great,Pallu! will look forward to your recipe 🙂
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Happy New Year Deeps 🙂
Look forward to enjoying the recipes collection!
D: Thank you IHM! really excited!
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virtual,birtual! on onam, deepti will cook a sadhya with compiled recipes & invite starving UMM over. UMM is salivating at the thought and thanks D for her kindness.
D: Done,UMM…Nilahbaby’s first Onam,right..we’ll have a blast..will call you 🙂
do it now — budday & onam combined celeb.
D:*Deeps does a kaikottikali with V to show her gratitude for not demanding separate celebs for budday & onam*…yoohoo 😀
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Happy New Year,
Our Bengali New Year comes around the middle of April … some fun that used to be.
Both the last day of the year and first day of the year are celebrated.. though since the Mtv culture has crept in, the traditional fesitivities (except for the Durga Puja. though the faces of the Godesses are increasingly getting features from Jolie and spears) has taken some beating.
BTW .. where can we harvest the recipies that you spoke about!
D: The recipes will e shared on 1st,Suman,a day prior to Onam 🙂
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Hey Deepti,
I think I missed the Sadya here, I am surely logging onto ‘Ambrosia’ to prepare the sadya.
regards
Rekha
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Did I miss ‘sadya’? I was off this samaaj for sometime because of my eye problem. So many posts to read now!
Waiting for the sadya, now. Hope it is not over, yet.
D: No no,Sandhya,its not over.the sadya will be served on 1st hopefully,that is a day prior to Onam. 🙂
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Oh, I am missing ur sadya, i will have it when i am back…missed a lot in our blog duniya…
have loads to write but don’t know where to begin!hows u?hows namya…nd any recipes to add to?Tom is the D-DAY we are having a blast here too!
D: Namya is fine.She had a great Onam too.You have fun,Sindhu and make sure you give us all a detailed account of your stay when you come back 🙂
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Happy Onam! And I’ve been looking for a good avial recipre for ages. Is it up already? 🙂
D: Thank you so much, wish you the same :). I’m planning to make avial today ,if it turns out well, will surely share the recipe 🙂
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