Thiruvananthapuram’s Poozhikkunnu Marks 38 Years of Onam Floral Celebrations

Quick Summary

• Poozhikkunnu village near Thiruvananthapuram has a 38-year tradition of creating large pookkalams (floral carpets) on all ten days of Onam. The practice dates back around 45 years.
• Organized by the Poozhikkunnu Pourasamithi, the event engages locals to create creative and culturally significant floral arrangements.
• A massive platform (athathattu) is prepared for these creations, with designs split into conventional pookkalams and ones depicting deities or cultural imagery.Flowers cost up to ₹20,000 daily.
• The floral arrangements are sponsored by individuals, businesses, and institutions. Both daily wage laborers and local artists actively contribute.
• Cultural elements like traditional art forms (Thumbithullal), public meetings, distribution of new clothes (Onakkodi), and gifts are part of the festivities.
• Flowers are sourced from a market in Kanyakumari district (~100 km away). Despite challenges like high flower prices, residents remain committed to preserving this tradition.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The sustained commitment to elaborate pookkalam-laying in Poozhikkunnu highlights not only KeralaS deep-rooted cultural adherence but also serves as a model for community-driven festival practices amid evolving times.The inclusive participation-across faiths-and reliance on local labor underline how traditions can unite communities while promoting livelihoods. However,logistical complexities such as rising costs signal potential challenges in scaling such initiatives over time without additional support or innovation. The continuation despite economic strains sheds light on how cultural identity and collective enthusiasm can triumph over practical hurdles.

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