The background/history of #Onam festival:
King Mahabali, also known as Maveli, is a very important part of Hindu tradition, especially in Kerala, India. The story of King Mahabali is associated with the festival of Onam.
King Mahabali was a Daitya (demon) king, and the grandson of Prahlada, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Despite being a Daitya, Mahabali was known to be a wise, benevolent and generous king, beloved by his subjects. His reign was said to be a golden age of prosperity, justice, and harmony.
However, his growing power and influence made the gods uneasy. They asked Lord Vishnu for help, who came to earth in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar. Vamana asked Mahabali for as much land as he could cover in three steps. When Mahabali agreed, Vamana grew to an immense size and covered Earth and heaven in two steps. For the third step, Mahabali, true to his promise, offered his own head for the third step.
Impressed by his honesty, integrity and humility, Vishnu granted him a boon - Mahabali could visit his people once a year on specific lunar calendar dates - which are celebrated as the #onamfestival in Kerala. People congregate, indulge in community fun activities, dress up in traditional clothes, race boats…and welcome the King back to his kingdom.
We join the festivities from Boston.
My Kerala connections:
I was born in Trichur, Kerala, to a Malayalam-speaking mother. As a result, I've always wanted to produce a Malayalam song. My summer breaks as a child were marked by visits to this breathtaking state, with its verdant landscapes, serene waters, majestic mountains, and splendid churches and temples. It's truly one of the most picturesque places on Earth. I'm especially thrilled that my song celebrates the Onam festival, arguably Kerala's grandest festivity. Although rooted in Hindu traditions, the festival transcends religious boundaries, and people from various faiths partake in its celebrations. The traditions dictate the song's instrumentation, rhythm, meter, and even some of its lyrics.
The song and its video encapsulate centuries-old traditions of the festivities, as performed by members of the Greater Boston Malayali community. This includes the Thiruvathira, which tells the story of King Mahabali, and the expressive movements of Kathakali, Mohiniattam, and Bharatanatyam. The chorus was recorded by Amal Antony Agustin and the VoxosAAA Vocal Ensemble, capturing the essence of Kerala’s festive spirit
I dedicate this song to my late mother, Chinni, and to my extended family in Kerala, for whom Onam was always a time of joy and togetherness. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Cocoon Media, Kamalan, and Ishaan for making this dream a reality.
Audio Credits:
Singer – Anuradha Juju
Music Composer – Kamalan
Music Producer and Arranger – Ishaan Chhabra
Lyrics – Praveen Vidyanandan
Produced by – Juju Productions, Boston
Vocal Ensemble Arrangement – Amal Antony Agustin
Performed by – VoxosAAA Vocal Ensemble
Chorus – Amal Antony Agustin, Anish Velutholy, Aman Sherdin, Sreerag R
Musicians – Nadaswaram - O K Gopi,
Veena – Biju Annamanada
Additional Percussion – Sandeep Venkidesh
Sound Engineers – Anuradha Juju's Vocals Recorded by – Prashanth Palakurthi @ Juju's Studios (Boston)
Live Instruments and Tracks – Jisto George @ Pop Media House Kochi
Mixed And Mastered by – Aftab Khan @ Headroom Studio, Mumbai
Video Credits:
Visuals – CocoonMedia, Boston
Director – Deepa Jacob
DOP – Jaison K Jose
Editor – Rohith Bhanu
Colourist – Ebin Philip
Asst. Cinematographers – Mahesh Kottalagi, Vinphin Kundukulam, Manish Kurup
Production Assistants – Priyanka Renjith, Asha Manish
Kathakali – Nisha Nair
Mohiniyattam – Hannah Vinphin
Dancers – Krithi Nathan, Sanjana Pillai, Sonakshi Pillai
Thiruvathira – Meena Unni, Mary Emil Joseph, Udaya Rani Umesh, Anjali Cheleri, Vidya Gopinathan, Jiby Santhosh, Shoba Jacob, Asha Manish, Merin Tony, Meera Soorej, Raimy Kachappilly, Deepa Jacob
Location – Massachusetts, USA
Lyrics:
Thiruvona Poonilavae Kurithottuva
Pularmanjin Kasavaada Njoriyittuvaa
Kaliyaadivaa Thumbakathirnullivaa
Thiruvona Thirumuttamaniyaanvaayo
Chorus:
Malanaattil Poovili Padayani Kummaatti Athachamayam
Maaveli Thampran Varavaye
Ruchimelam Naavinthumpil Kudamattam Pulikalithaalam
Uthraadapooppada Koottendae
Ponnonkodiyudukkendae Maavinkombil
Madhumasa Ponnoonjaladam
Thiruvathira:
Moonuopaadam Mannuvenam Thapassirikkanraajan
Randu Paadakondu Moonu Lokavumalannu
Thanthalayum Thazhthininnu Mannavan Maveli
Shankayethumkoodathangu Shirassilvaykkupaadam
Malayalam Malaroonjalaadumneram
Manasake Poothumbaviriyum Gandham
Thiruvonamai Chingakilipaadumbol
Marunaadum Malanaadin Kulirchoodunnu
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#Onam2023 #AnuradhaJuju #JujuProductions
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