Kozhikode: Despite Kerala's harvest festival Onam being robbed of its sheen due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students put in extra efforts to make it happening and memorable. Though the pandemic has moved Onam celebrations in virtual space, the spirit of Malayalis, especially students, remained intact. With pandemic having failed to dampen the spirit of Onam, students from lower primary schools to colleges celebrated the festival in a low-key yet exuberant manner with zest.
With online classes already in place, it wasn't a tough task for the teachers to co-ordinate with the students to celebrate Onam online. But what left them surprised was the amazing response from the talented, bright minds who performed exceptionally though being confined to the four walls of the house.
Students dressed up as legendary Asura kings Mahabali and Vamanan, the latter who was an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Participating in a special cultural programme, students practised well and performed with great delight. Children performed live dance, participated in cooking sessions, debates and even compiled and edited their own individual dance videos and presented it as a group event. Parents and teachers were amazed to see the spectacular performances by students citing it as a new Onam experience altogether.
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The kids also performed Thiruvathirakkali (a traditional group dance form), Onappattu (folk and light songs on Onam), played rural online games and their guardians and mentors cheered for them. Each student also prepared a rangoli and a special dish for Onasadhya (feast), thus adding colours to online Onam celebrations. Students also took part in competitions in Onappattu, film song, watercolour on Onam memories, Pookkalam using only flowers from the premises of their homes and a virtual 'Sundariykk Pottu Thodal', where each participant got 10 minutes to spot a bindi on the right spot. The entries were sent to judges, experts in art and music and they announced awards.
Students also designed special animated GIFs to greet people online for which they took 10-hour long training. From presenting speeches, dances, poems and Payasam( special dish), children virtual innovative twist grabbed the limelight.
The celebrations concluded with hopes and wishes for a better tomorrow when everybody can sit together and relish a feast without COVID fear. Schools and educational institutions are preparing to organise such online celebrations for Onam during COVID, which will be called as ‘cor-Onam’. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had urged people to stay home and avoid large family gatherings due to the prevailing situation.
