Glimpses of World History through Kerala and Dutch

The Dutch landed at the Malabar Coast for spice trade 106 years after the advent of Vasco de Gama.

Dutch in Kerala

കേരളചരിത്രത്തിലൂടെ ഡച്ച് സമൂഹം - മലയാളരൂപാന്തരം

പോര്‍ട്ടുഗീസില്‍ നിന്നും വാസ്കോഡിഗാമ കോഴിക്കോട് എത്തി 106 വര്‍ഷം കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോള്‍ സുഗന്ധവ്യഞ്ജന വ്യാപാരത്തിന് ...

History of Kerala

Kerala History www.historyofkerala.com

Many of the mythological stories in Kerala are common with the rest of India coming from the same Vedic Storytelling History....

History of Trivandrum

Trivandrum History www.historyoftrivandrum.com

Trivandrum (Now Thiruvananthapuram) city and several other places in the district loom large in ancient tradition, folklore and literature....

Tripunithura, Kochi

Athachamayam Sets the Stage for Kerala’s 10-Day Onam Celebrations

August 2026 | Culture & Festivals

KOCHI: The festive spirit of Onam swept through Tripunithura on Sunday as the annual Athachamayam celebrations opened Kerala’s 10-day harvest festival season with a vibrant display of tradition, culture, and history.

The historic town, once the seat of the erstwhile Kochi royal kingdom, came alive with decorated elephants, colourful floats, percussion ensembles, and a rich variety of folk and classical art forms as thousands gathered along the procession route despite intermittent rain.

"Since the days of the royal era, Kochi and Tripunithura have been examples of secularism."
V D Satheesan, Kerala Chief Minister

Inaugurating the celebrations, Chief Minister V D Satheesan recalled Tripunithura’s long tradition of bringing together people across religious and social communities. He called for greater efforts to preserve Tripunithura’s architectural and cultural legacy, urging authorities to develop the town as a heritage city to protect remaining historic structures.

Procession & Cultural Highlights

State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob unfurled the traditional Atham flag, while Malayalam actor Jagadish flagged off the colourful procession from Atham Nagar.

Rhythmic Ensembles: Energetic beats of chendamelam and panchavadyam.
Folk & Classical Arts: Performances of Theyyam, Kolkali, Mayilattam, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, and Kathakali.
Global Attraction: Spectators from across the state alongside international visitors gathered along the streets.

Royal Traditions & Legends

Athachamayam holds deep ties to the Kochi royal family, commemorating the Maharaja's ceremonial procession from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara. The 10-day festivities mark the mythic annual return of King Mahabali, culminating on Thiruvonam (August 26).

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Cultural Heritage

When Onam Meant Play: The Traditional Games and Customs That Still Live in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM | Onam Special Feature

Before Onam became a season of shopping, stage shows, and organized competitions, it was a time when courtyards, village paths, and open fields became vibrant playgrounds.

For generations, the festival brought people together through games, songs, dances, and simple customs that required little beyond a group of people, an open space, and a willingness to join in. Many of these traditions were woven into everyday village life—Onam simply gave them a special place in the festive calendar.

A Courtyard Turned Playground

Traditional Onam games were largely community affairs. Men, women, and children often had their own games, while some activities brought entire groups together. The emphasis was not on winning a prize—the fun came from participation, teasing, cheering, and spending time together.

Uriyadi

Participants attempt to break a suspended earthen pot while facing humorous obstacles. The energetic crowd's cheers and friendly encouragement turn a simple contest into a festive spectacle.

Vadamvali

The iconic tug-of-war demands pure team coordination. One person's strength is rarely enough—every participant has to pull together, embodying Onam’s core spirit of togetherness.

Women, Songs, and the Thiruvathira Circle

Onam traditions are closely associated with women's group activities. Thiruvathirakali, performed by women standing in a circle around a traditional lamp, combines graceful movement, rhythm, and song. The dancers move in synchronized steps, creating a visual pattern that depends on everyone maintaining the rhythm together.

Grand Festive Spectacles

Pulikali (Tiger Dance): Associated particularly with Thrissur, performers paint their bodies in striking tiger patterns and dance to percussion beats—a hours-long transformation that turns the streets into a lively stage.
Vallamkali (Snake Boat Races): Long snake boats slice across Kerala's backwaters in synchronized rhythm, powered by large teams of rowers accompanied by rhythmic boat songs (*Vanchipattu*).

Games That Needed Almost Nothing

Not every traditional game required elaborate arrangements. Children played simple outdoor games using household objects, open yards, and the company of friends. Older generations recall spending full days outdoors, moving effortlessly from one game to another.

While the arrival of digital entertainment shifted spontaneous neighborhood play, cultural programs, schools, and residents' associations continue to keep these timeless traditions alive for younger generations.

Tags: Kerala Onam Traditions Folk Games

Sacred Art of Onavillu

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Heritage

The Sacred Colors of Onam: Consecration of Onavillu

Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvonam Special | Uma Maheswari

In Kerala, the month of Chingam brings with it the most vibrant and joyful celebration — Thiruvonam. Falling on the Thiruvonam asterism, this festival is not just about feasts and flowers; it is also celebrated as the divine birthday of Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy.

On this auspicious day, the Maharaja follows an age-old royal tradition of offering the Lord a brocade and a grand gold-laced mundu, carefully wrapped in a yellow coarse cloth. But the true artistic and spiritual highlight of Thiruvonam at the temple is the consecration of the Onavillu.

A 500-Year Living Tradition

According to ancient temple archives (vide Churuna 24 Ola 55), ruler Veera Ravi Iravi Varma ordered the ceremonial submission of Onavillu to the temple over five centuries ago. The responsibility was entrusted to master craftsman Puthanangadi Kannalen Mathevan Kumaran Asari. Today, his direct descendants proudly preserve and carry forward this sacred honor.

What Exactly is an Onavillu?

Don’t let the name fool you. Though “Villu” translates to bow, an Onavillu is not a weapon. It is a flat, broad, meticulously crafted wooden plaque that tapers at both ends, made in large, medium, and small sizes.

Sacred Color Palette

The front and tapered edges are painted in a striking bright red, while the reverse side shines in vibrant yellow. A pair of these ceremonial plaques is placed on either side of the respective deity during Thiruvonam.

Mythological Motifs

Each plaque depicts sacred iconography: Ananthasayanam, Dasavatharam, and Krishnaleela. Later, Sree Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma commissioned two additional themes: Ramayana and Ganesha.

The Ritual Submission Ceremony

The submission of Onavillu is an elaborate, deeply spiritual sequence that unfolds before dawn:

1. Dawn Arrival: Long before sunrise, craftsmen carry the Onavillus to the temple. The Sreekaryakkar and Thirumeni Kaavalkurup formally seek permission from the Swamiyar to receive them.
2. Flagpole Display: The Onavillus are reverently displayed on a fresh white cloth near the temple’s golden flagpole.
3. Procession: To the resonant beats of traditional temple music, priests of Sree Padmanabha, Sree Narasimha, and Sree Krishna carry them in procession to the Abhishravana Mandapam.
4. Final Consecration: Red silk tassels and cadjan leaf sheaths are tied to both ends. Priests then place them beside the main idols, where they remain in the inner sanctum for two and a half days.

"It’s not just a ritual. It’s art, devotion, and history — all coming together in one sacred moment."

Article by: Uma Maheswari Padmanabhaswamy Temple Onavillu Kerala Heritage

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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan unveiling CIAL's new Aero Lounge

41 Guest rooms, Boardrooms, Conference halls, Co-Working Space and a Lounge within the Airport but outside Security Hold Area, making it accessible to both passengers and visitors.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is all set to launch a world-class airport experience at budget rates for its passengers. Kerala Chief Minister Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate CIAL’s new venture; 0484 AERO LOUNGE, on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 4 PM at Terminal 2. Built on the revolutionary concept of 'affordable luxury', the 0484 Aero Lounge emphasizes an exceptional and premium airport lounge experience at hourly rates for travellers. Located outside the Security Hold Areas, right next to the business jet terminal T2, and adjacent to both domestic and international terminals, the lounge is accessible to both passengers and visitors alike. Christened after Ernakulam’s STD code, 0484 AERO LOUNGE combines the tradition, art, backwaters, landscape and flora that evoke the unique beauty of Kerala with special representation of the local culture in contemporary aesthetics, budget-friendly accommodations and more. Spanning 50,000 square feet, it includes 37 rooms, 4 suites, 3 boardrooms, 2 conference halls, a co-working space, gym, spa, library, an exclusive café lounge and a restaurant, offering an innovative experience of aesthetic, self-contained luxury. "CIAL is committed to delivering a world-class experience for all passengers. As part of our ongoing expansion, three of the seven mega-projects inaugurated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala on October 2, 2023, are already operational. Now, we proudly launch the fourth: the 0484 AERO LOUNGE. This lounge introduces 'The Art of Affordable Luxury', making premium airport lounge experiences accessible to all passengers at Cochin Airport”, said S. Suhas IAS, Managing Director, CIAL. “With ongoing enhancements like expanding the international terminal, creating additional lounges, developing a vibrant food court, and upgrading restrooms to the highest standards, CIAL sets new benchmarks in airport luxury, convenience, safety and hygiene. The 0484 AERO LOUNGE is a significant milestone in our commitment to elevating passenger services”, he added. Ministers P. Rajeev, K. Rajan, Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan, MPs Benny Behanan, Hiby Eden, Jeby Mather, MLAs Anwar Sadath, Roji M. John and CIAL Directors Yusuffali M. A., E. K. Bharat Bhushan, Aruna Sundararajan, N.V. George, E.M. Babu, P. Mohamed Ali, along with other elected representatives from municipality and panchayats will also participate in the function.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan unveiling CIAL's new Aero Lounge .....