Spiralling prices of provisions fail to dampen Vishu celebrations

Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Soaring prices failed to dampen the spirit of Vishu as hundreds of Keralites living in the UAE flocked to special sections in hypermarkets where items for the preparation of Kani Kanal, meaning first sight, were on display.

Vishu is the New Year festival of the south Indian state of Kerala.

According to the Gregorian calendar Vishu falls on April 14, the same day when other Indian states also celebrate their New Year's day and harvest festivals - it's known as Ronagali Bihu in the north eastern state of Assam, Puthandu in the south Indian state of Chennai, Baisakhi in the north Indian state of Punjab and Naba Barsha in the west Indian state of Bengal.

On Vishu, Keralites believe that one should see good things in the morning as this determines the fortunes for the entire year.

The offering, the Vishu Kanni containing auspicious items, consists of rice placed on a plantain leaf on a brass vessel.

There is also a new piece of cloth, a yellow cucumber, betel leaves and nuts, a metal mirror, yellow flowers of the Konna tree, gold, coins and coconut halves containing oil with burning wicks. A brass lamp with coconut oil is lit by the vessel.

Traditions

On Vishu, the eldest female member of the house wakes up first to look at the vessel. Other members of the family are then woken to have a look and care is taken to see that they do not look at anything else.

Keralites living in the UAE said that they cannot shy away from celebrating any of the Indian festivals for the sake of their children who have to learn about them as they are cut off from their homeland.

"Both my sons were born in the UAE and they only go to India for vacations which is not enough to learn the cultures and traditions of India. I make sure that I celebrate Diwali, Onam and Vishu. My sons are quite enthusiastic over the Vishu Kanni as they come blindfolded to see it," Omna Kuttan, a Keralite said.

Kuttan said that she and her husband did not consider soaring prices while doing Vishu shopping. Hypermarkets had special counters with fruit and vegetables and flowers from Kerala.

"It makes our sons happy and they get to learn about their cultures and that is all that matters to us," she said.

"I like Vishu being celebrated in our house as we get Vishu Kaineetam from our parents," said Ranjith, a grade 5 pupil.

Money given to children by elders in the house is traditionally known as Vishu Kaineetam.

"Even though prices have gone up, I found almost all expatriates have been shopping for the celebrations," said M.A. Salam, General Secretary of the Indian Social Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Jinaraj, General Secretary of the Kerala Social Centre in Abu Dhabi, said he and family always get up early on Vishnu. "We never miss it," he said.

New Year calendar