Onam and Vishu obsolete?

Another 'Vishu' passed by.

Though I got numerous sms messages wishing me on 'Vishu', the messages were not from the heart, but a part of standard chain messages developed by some service provider. We have even lost the ability to wish someone from the heart but had to rather depend on a text prepared by someone else. What a shame!

Commercialization has become such a part of our life that the human element is getting lost.

Maybe it is time to have a re look at the festivals. Most of our festivals have their roots in an earlier agrarian economy. They marked the various stages of harvesting and provided an opportunity for the hardworking peasants to rejoice after a hardworking season.

Onam is essentially a harvest festival when we used to have 'Chinga koithu' (harvest in chingam - August/September) and when people raised only one crop. It was a time of plenty, with the farmer suddenly having surplus income and it also denoted the end of the agricultural activities. Time when he can relax. 'Vishu' on the other end of the spectrum symbolized the beginning of the agricultural season with farmers sowing seeds that will be replanted after 45 days when the monsoon finally arrives in the first week of June. Vishu is celebrated only for a day while Onam lasts a full 10 days since there is more cash flow during Onam.

Times have changed. The economy is no longer agrarian and with it the relevance of these festivals are diminishing. The current generation has moved away from farming (which anyway is not a profitable profession), has taken to education, opted for a salaried job or business and have migrated. Onam and Vishu as it were celebrated remains a faint memory in the minds of the older generation. It has no significance for the youngsters. You can't blame them for they are out of touch with the roots and most can't even read malayalam. Onam and Vishu are spent in front of the mini screen which dishes out crap cinema based programs which are shown amongst a host of advertisements.

There is a need to rethink on these festivals. The onams and vishus have long gone past their expiry date. Maybe we should develop new festivals that are more in tune with the current demographic profiles, aspirations and culture.

Any ideas?...........................