Festival of ONAM- The most important festival for the people of Kerala and Malayalies

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Written by Vijay Bhatt 8-21-2021 for Blog posting.

ONAM FESTIVAL:

HAPPY ONAM to all Malayalis.

Onam Celebrations ( Aug 12-Aug 23 2021: The most important religious and cultural festival of people of Kerala and Malayalis.

Mythological background:

In Bhagwat-katha there is a story of king Bali ( AKA Mahabali)

This King Bali paternal lineage was: Rishi Kashyap->Hiranyakashyap-> Pralhad-> Virochan -> Mahabali. He was considered an ASUR.

-By defeating DEVAs, when Mahabali won all three worlds ( Skies, Earth, and the Paataal), Devas became uncomfortable, requested Vishnu to fight Bali. But Vishnu refused to fight his own devotee.

Mahabali had arranged a celebration YAJNA for victory.

Vishnu took an Avatar of a very small body of dwarf - VAAMANA, After the YAJNA King Mahabali, granted wishes of all. The small dwarf boy VAAMANA asked for 3 simple small size steps worth of space. Mahabali graciously agreed. Vishnu grew almost infinite size first two steps covered all areas Mahabali ruled. For the third step, Bali offered his head. Vishnu put his foot and pushed him in PAATAAL. Devas were happy. At the same time Vishnu was happy for Mahabali's devotion. Vishnu LIBERATED and blessed Bali a boon that ONCE A YEAR Mahabali can revisit all the space and land he ruled.

Traditions and celebrations:

ONAM is the festival of celebration for Mahabali's devotion, yearly return to his kingdom, his righteousness, virtues of DHARMA, humility and values of keeping the promise to VAAMANA.

The Thrikkakara temple in Kochi is VAAMANA avtar temple and is the main center of festivities. This is also temple of Mahabali, and Shiva.

Onam is a combination of religious festivities of King Mahabali's annual return, annual harvest season, trade, and celebration for 10 days of cultural programs, decorations, RANGOLI sports competitions, varieties of dances, performing arts.

Daily varieties of fancy foods and fun!

Written by Vijay Bhatt 8-21-2021 for Blog posting.

Indian Idol 12: A singing competition show(?): Written by Vijay Bhatt Aug 15, 2021

 Indian Idol 12: A singing competition show(?): Written by Vijay Bhatt Aug 15, 2021 for Blog posting and sharing.

Indian Idol 12: A singing competition show(?): - by Vijay Bhatt:

Congratulations to Pavan Deep Rajan, who got the most votes of Indian Idol12 , 75 weeks season with the best ever set of contesting finalists.

As a musician/singer, I must say that each of the finalists deserves to be the winner. We accept results and move on regardless who was your personal favorite.

Purely on singing quality point of view, my favorite has been Arunita.

All six were almost equal (16/20-20/20 difference). I wish they had changed the rules and offered all of them the title of Indian Idol. Here is why.

If they changed the singing competition in to an almost Kapil Sharma show or a Big Boss, or a Match making show or a fashion show? Why not change the rules and declare all of them the idols.

India has many deities, devi/ devta..! So many movies are multi-star! So many sat-gurus, So many sects within Hindu religion, So many New Year's days according to the region and culture. So many festivals. We even have to Freedom days ( Independence Aug 15, Republic Jan 26). Why not multiple Indian Idols?

The original judges, Vishal, Neha, Himesh, had selected the gems!

It is a classical example of how the creative director Niraj Sharma and team deteriorated the original platform of Indian singing/music in to a low grade flashy, low class comedy, dance, match-making, soap-opera type, BHEL-PURI show!

There is an excellent word in Hindi called "गरिमा ", a respect, an honor, a stature. This show brought down the singing talent's respect to low class talent show.

They gradually did makeover of female contestants by changing costumes, especially of Arunita, tried to convert her in to a B grade Bollywood heronie exposing her skin. An 18 years old girl, singing nightingale was transformed in to Big Boss's Sunny Leon, and asked by low class Reena Roy to feed Pavan as if he is her lover and recite some low grade love lines!

Karan Johar even went too explicit as if he is getting them married right there!

So pathetic! So shameful for teenager Indian girl who is born and raised with 'Indian values' and culture. Is this our cultural value?

If I were a parent could not let daughter be subject to such drama in front of the national tv. in a 'singing talent competition'. I would accept such drama if it was an audition or screen test for film acting casting competition.

Some very well respected legendary singers/musicians ( we know them well, will not name), have openly expressed dismay on social media.

As public, I appeal to all those who read this, must send clear message to Sony India CEO( that Sardarji who took credit for the show at the end), that this is not a Singing Competition Show. He and his team should be ashamed of themselves, no matter how much (financial) credit they take and get TRP.

Sony EXPLOITED these innocent divine talents for 75 weeks/150 shows and offered them 3Lakhs 2Lacks only??? Please write to Sony and challenge them.

There are still millions of us, Indians, who will not let our culture go to the tubes and let pious performing art of Indian singing be normalize to such a low class entertainment.

Best wishes and Congratulations to PAVAN, ARUNITA, SAYLI, DANESH, NIHAL, SANMUKH PRIYA! We are proud of you! You are truly the treasure of our music!

Indian Idol 12: A singing competition show(?): Written by Vijay Bhatt Aug 15, 2021 for Blog posting and sharing.