Recognition

With, Onam, the biggest festival for the Malayalis having just got over, I made some observations, which I felt I should share with my readers. The thought that first came to my mind as a resident of Chennai Metropolis, is that “well Onam has finally arrived”. There is more than one reason for this. In 2007, the Chief Minister declared Onam as a Government Holiday for the district of Chennai along with the Districts of Kanyakumari and Nilgiris both of which have a large population of Malayalis. This in itself was news of great significance for all the Malayalis of Chennai. The other reasons are comparatively trivial and are more of marketing gimmicks, but nonetheless they seem to add a lot of colour to Onam and also bring about a mood of festivity to the city and to the minds of the Malayalis. The Onam season which traditionally lasts for ten days saw the papers flooded with wonderful discount offers by most of the leading jewelers and textile stores. The papers also seemed covered with advertisements from restaurants and hotels trying to promote the much acclaimed Onam Sadya. They also featured interviews with the leading Malayalis of Chennai. It was interesting to read and I would be lying if I stopped from saying that I was not just happy but indeed elated. For the thousands of people in my category who are both staunch Malayalis and true Chennaiites, we could not have asked for more. It also got me thinking back in time to the many Onams that we celebrated while growing up.
When we were children Onam was just a celebration in the family. The Malayali families living in Chennai like their brethren the world over celebrated Onam with gusto but just within the walls of their house. The outside world (read city) did not know of the festival, or in case they did, there was hardly any recognition. The only community celebrations that took place were held in the evening when most of the Malayali Social organizations would have a cultural meet. Since my mother was a member of one of these organizations, we girls would participate in some of the events that were put up. Thus that was the only highlight of our Onam. As for a holiday on Onam, it was unheard off since at most times there would be an exam on that day and hence it was compulsory to go to school or college. On reaching college, to mark the occasion, some of us would wear a Kerala sari or a two piece “set mundu”. But these things were far and rare. The sari or the Mundu had to be purchased from Kerala during our trips earlier. It was never ever available in any of the leading textile kingdoms of Chennai. Like Onam, the Kerala Sari too has come a long way and is freely available. I won’t be wrong if I say that it has become a fashion statement to be seen in one of these saris on Onam day. This Onam when I went to the office, I was surprised to see all the girls attired in Kerala Saris. On the other hand, I felt odd having worn a colourful Andhra handloom sari. I realized then the reach of the media and the awareness among the people. Thus Onam has got its due in the Chennai of the 21st Century.
It has taken more than a couple of centuries for Onam to get a foot hold in this Cosmopolitan city. The association of the then Madras and that part of Kerala called Malabar go a long way. Malabar was part of the Madras Presidency during the British Rule in India. For the people of Malabar, Madras was the capital and they were governed from here. This was the arrangement till the state of Kerala was formed on November 1st 1956. Madras has always been home to the Malayali and many a wanderlust Malayali has found his livelihood and established himself in Madras. The list is so long that I would not be doing justice by trying to give names. Since the best of education and medical facilities were only available here, the people from Kerala were always present in large numbers in Madras. They held and still continue to hold high positions in government, public and private sectors. The total lack of industry in Kerala in the early and middle 20th century saw the Malayali come to Madras in search of greener pastures. The formation of the state of Kerala has not deterred this movement as youngsters either educated or not, still make that journey to ensure a better future. I am sure that till date the Central Railway station must be witnessing the arrival of youngsters with fire in their hearts and stars in their eyes. “Stars” is the right word to use, for till the end of the 20th century, Madras was the home to the Malayalam Film industry. Thousands of Malayalam movies have been churned out from the various studios that used to dot the Kodambakkam/Vadapalani areas. The whole Malayalam film fraternity were residents of Madras. It was common to come across some green horns hoping to become a future Sathyan of Prem Nazir (Lead actors of yore) roaming the streets in the vicinity of the studios. With Madras/Chennai playing an integral part in the lives of so many Malayalis, it goes without saying that the Malayalis form a high percentage of the city’s population. The demography of the city of Chennai shows that Malayalis are the third biggest group just after the Tamilians and the Telegus.
This holiday declared for Onam is definitely a long overdue recognition for the Malayalis of Chennai. Their contribution to the development of the city and the vital roles they have played in various sectors are worthy of more than a mention. Life has not always been a bed of roses and there have been times when the going was tough. They have had to face the wrath of anti social elements who wanted to dislocate them. This was in the early 70’s and I vividly remember how slogans were written on walls of homes were Malayalis lived. Our home too was at the receiving end. Unlike the Anti Hindi agitation of the 60’s, better sense prevailed and the whole issue was quashed before things went out of hand.
I wonder why it took so long for this recognition to happen considering the fact that the leader/demi-god of the masses and the most popular and loved person in Chennai or for that matter in Tamil Nadu for the past 70 years has been Maruthur Gopalan R……………..