Another Onam season has been over. The Malayalees across the world celebrated it with joy and happiness. But, these days also made me deeply think into it. Being a representative of a new generation, i asked myself that whether i'm celebrating the Onam in its real colours ? I got 'NO' as answer. Because they have been lost somewhere in the way back. And in the age of instants, it is impossible to bring those colours back and refill the celebration with them. I dont know how many Keralites, i'm no different, have heard of the traditions namely Thumbi Tullal, Onavillu and Onappottan all observed during the Onam season. There are some places, relatively 'unsophisticated' areas, where they are still observed, but soon it may become history.
Though i stressed Onam, the case is not of that alone. There are many traditions and folk arts awaiting their extermination from the world. Those include religious and non religious arts. Though i'm not a religious person, i used to think on it. The disappearance of some arts, unless they are immersed in superstition and dont include black magic, that once defined a culture has been always a loss for the society. Nevertheless, even some native sports and langugaes across the world are on the verge of extinction. They are getting erased from the picture as the time goes on.
People may ask what is the point in protecting these 'outdated' and tedious arts and all. I still have no firm answer for that, but one thing is that they are the remains of the cultures that have been passed over the generations. And every culture is unique and important as any other.
The usual scene of society is that when someone expresses this concern, most probably he fails to find an echo. People have no time to give an ear to it. These words too, might go unheard as well, i know. That is why i'm of mixed feelings, as the only thing i can do is to word my opinion on it, but not doing something else. But i hope there may have people who can do something..
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