Wiki Loves Onam/Video documentation
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The Wiki Loves Onam 2024 campaign was organized to document and celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage of Kerala during the Onam festival. Through this project, we aimed to preserve these traditions and make them accessible to a wider audience through the power of open knowledge.
This video documentation features a collection of videos that capture key events and customs associated with the festival, including iconic performances like Pulikkali, boat races such as the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, traditional dances like Kummattikali, and many other unique aspects of the Onam celebration. The videos were taken by the community members and with the help of other participants, showcasing the rich diversity of the festival and its significance to local communities.
By documenting these moments, we hope to create a lasting visual archive that helps future generations experience and understand the cultural essence of Onam. Each video on this page offers a glimpse into the beauty and traditions that define this festival, from the lively processions to the serene floral arrangements that adorn homes during the season.
Explore the videos below to witness the essence of Onam events.
Video Documents of the events
editAthachamayam is a grand procession held in Thrippunithura on the day of Atham, just before Onam. In the past, it was organized by the King of Cochin, but now it is conducted by the Government of Kerala. This procession marks the beginning of the Onam celebrations and features floats (tableaus) showcasing Kerala’s traditional arts, major institutions, various dance forms, cultural displays, and different types of traditional music. Thousands of people, including students, participate in the Athachamayam procession each year.
- Videos by: Mohammed Arman Sait, Ranjith Sajeev, Yadu Krishna T
- Video Document Duration: 23 min 16 s
Karadikali is a traditional folk art performed during the Onam season in the regions of Kollam and Kayamkulam. On the evening of Onam, it is staged in the courtyards of houses, with the bear and the hunter as the main characters. The bear's dance steps are accompanied by songs and traditional instruments like the hand-bell and Kanjira. These songs have been passed down orally through generations.
- Videos by: Kannan Shanmugam
- Video Document Duration: 13 min 44 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Kummatikali is an art performance that is widely performed during Onam in Thrissur and nearby places. Kummatikali is performed on different days in the areas around Thrissur city. The Kummatti costume consists of wearing a face mask made of wood and wrapping a particular kind of grass (Parpataka) all over the body. Talla and Tanta (old woman and old man), Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, Kirata, Darika, Narada, Shiva Bhootas and many other costumes are worn. The instruments are Chenda and Tappu. A few singers will sing Kummati songs. In modern Kummatti there are accompaniments by bands and other folk performances.
- Videos by: Rahul Sankar
- Video Document Duration: 5 min 7 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Neelamperoor Padayani (നിലമ്പേരൂർ പടയണി)
editNilamberoor Padayani is one of the many Padayani festivals held in the temples of South Kerala. It is a 16-day festival that begins on Avittam, the day after Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam. During the festival, massive effigies, including large swan figures that stand thirty to forty feet high, are created and brought together on the final day. Each day features a variety of activities and games. The legend behind Padayani is connected to Cheraman Perumal, the medieval king of Chera or Kerala kingdom.
- Videos by: Rahul Sankar
- Video Document Duration: 13 min 33 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Nehru Trophy Boat Race (നെഹ്റു ട്രോഫി വള്ളംകളി)
editThe Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most renowned boat races in Kerala. The excitement surrounding this race, which features long rows of chundan vallams (snake boats) on the Punnamada Lake, is unmatched. Tens of thousands of people from various places gather at Punnamada to witness this spectacular event. This boat race began in 1952 during Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to Alappuzha, and it was later named the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. In Nehru's memory, a trophy shaped like a chundan vallam, made of silver, is awarded in connection with this race.
- Videos by: Ranjith Sajeev
- Video Document Duration: 9 min 2 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Pulikkali is a popular folk festival celebrated on the fourth day of Onam in Thrissur. There will be nearly 7 to 10 teams from the premises of the Thrissur city. The stripes and spots of the tiger or leopard are painted on the human body and played with a face mask of the same. The Pulikkali has its own set of rhytmic music and movements. Around fifty performers dressed as tigers, drummers, tableau, and volunteers accompany each group. More than two lakh people, including women and children, throng the Thrissur roundabout to watch the Pulikkali.
- Videos by: Anirudhan C S, Jinoy Tom Jacob, Rahul Sankar, Ranjith Sajeev, Subin K S
- Video Document Duration: 9 min 22 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
The Sree Narayana Jayanti Boat Race, held on Chathayam day during the fourth Onam at Kumarakom, commemorates Sree Narayana Guru's visit to the region. This boat race began in memory of the grand reception given to Sree Narayana Guru in 1903 when the people of Kumarakom brought him in a ceremonial boat. First organized as a competition in 1952, this race now features over 1,000 rowers, with mostly the Iruttukuthy boats.
- Videos by: Tony Anthony
- Video Document Duration: 9 min 22 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Thayamkkali was a popular board game in Kerala, played by children, women, and men both indoors and outdoors. The game is played on a square board drawn with markings at the corners, where two or four sets of players place their pieces. It is played using four or five cowrie shells. The pieces of the two opposing teams can "cut" each other on the same board, leading to eliminations. Towards the end, the game becomes highly exciting and competitive.
- Videos by: Subin K S, Rahul Sankar
- Video Document Duration: 4 min 55 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Vadamvali or the tug-of-war competition is still held in many parts of the world. This competition is also held in Kerala during the season of Onam. Two teams, roughly equal in strength, pull on opposite sides of a sturdy rope in a test of power. Two referees oversee the competition, ensuring that the rules are followed and keeping an eye on the line. There will be a lot of spectators for this exciting competition. Usually prizes are given to the winning team after the competition.
- Videos by: Rahul Sankar
- Video Document Duration: 7 min 16 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
The Valla Sadhya or feast for the boat is held ahead of the famous Aranmula boat race. The Valla Sadhya is performed as an offering to the devotees of Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple. The boatmen, their families and other devotees will take part in the feast.
- Videos by: Rahul Sankar
- Video Document Duration: 12 min 39 s
- License:CC by SA 4.0
Documentation Team
edit- Jinoy Tom Jacob (Project lead)
- Ranjith Sajeev (Project co-lead)
- Rahul Sankar (Video Editor)
Advisors
edit- Manoj Karingamadathil
- Dr. P. Ranjith