TRIPUNITHURA: This year also the Onam celebrations in the State will formally commence with the traditional `Athachamayam’ at Tripunithura on Sunday. Floats and folk art forms of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, caparisoned tuskers, traditional temple orchestrations and other paraphernalia will add beauty to the `Atham’ procession.
The erstwhile kings of Kochi used to celebrate Onam in an unique style, strictly adhering to the secular concept of the State. All of them were very keen to include representatives from all communities in the ceremonial Athachamayam festival.
Even in those feudalistic days, those who led the procession included Nettoor Thangal, representing the Muslim community, Karingachira Kathanar who represented the Christian community and Chembil Arayan, representing the fisher folks. The prestigious Atham procession, once led by the Kochi kings, is being organised by the Tripunithura Municipality now and features the multifaceted cultural richness of Kerala.
“The Athachamayam conducted by the Kochi kings deserves special mention”, recalls Elamana Hari, who had witnessed the Athachamayam as the Superintendent of Hill Palace during the reign of Rama Varma Pareekshith Thampuran, the last king of Kochi. “The day of the procession was the only day on which the people were allowed to see their beloved king with all the paraphernalia. In those days, initially the Atham procession used to reach the Thrikkakkara Vamana Moorthy temple.
However, after the Zamorin conquered Chithrakoodam, where the installation of the Kochi kings were being held, the kings decided to shorten the procession and confined it to the streets of Tripunithura.
Then it was also decided to carry the invaluable golden crown in the lap of the King, instead of adorning it on the head,” said Hari.
The floats that add to the beauty of the procession represent the cross section of the society and propagates all subjects, including politics, environment, education, communal harmony as well as some immortal scenes from the epics and `puranas’.
The `flower carpet’ competition that takes place at the Sion Auditorium also attracts the attention of the public.
This year Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will inaugurate the Atham procession and Union Minister K V Thomas will hoist the flag at Atham Nagar (The Government Boys’ High School). K Babu MLA will preside over the function. Municipal Chairperson Ranjini Suresh will welcome the gathering and District Collector M Beena will propose a vote of thanks at the inaugural function.
Later, actor Siddique will inaugurate the cultural programmes at the Layam Ground on Sunday evening. Various cultural programmes, including drama, `ganamela’, `kathakali’ and saxophone concert will be held at Layam Ground from August 23 to 31.
