Odysseys of George

I received an sms from a fond patient of mine wishing me Happy Vishu greetings. Little did I know about it because it is not as famous as the Onam celebrations the Malayalees have. So I decided to check it out and gathered some information to share with all.

The festival of Vishu is celebrated with joy and mirth on the first day of Malayalese month of Medam. Vishu is celebrated on the astronomical New Year’s Day and Malayalis believe that the fortunes for the year depend on the kind of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu Day. The previous day goes in preparing the auspicious articles for the next morning. Some raw rice is put in a circular metal vessel and a new washed piece of cloth is folded over the rice. A gold-coloured cucumber, betel leaves, betel nuts, a metal mirror, yellow flowers of the Konna tree, a book of palm leaves and a few gold coins are then placed over the cloth in the vessel. Two coconut halves containing oil with lighted wicks are placed in the vessel. A metal lamp with coconut oil is kept burning by the side of the big vessel. Early in the morning on Vishu day, one of the elderly female members of the house, wakes up and takes a look at the auspicious objects. She then wakes up the other members of the house to take a look. Special care is taken to see that they do not look at anything else.This is called ‘Kani Kanal’, the literal translation of this is ‘first sight’ ,where there is a prescribed list of items, which a person must see first thing on a Vishu morning to bring good luck.Children are brought blind folded from their rooms to see Kani Kanal, the first thing in the morning.There is also a tradition to give small amounts of cash to children of the family. This tradition is called Vishu Kaineetam. People believe that this custom will ensure prosperity for their children in future.After everyone has had a look, the vessel is even taken to the cattle for them to have a look too.

After the rituals are completed, the family members have a bath and take a trip to temples to offer prayers. Once the worship is complete, everyone sits down for a feast, which is not as lavish as the one for Onam but nevertheless elegant.

A grand sadya (feast) is prepared by women of the house and the whole family sits together at lunch to relish it. Dishes are usually prepared from jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, and gourds besides other vegetables and fruits, which are in plenty at that time of the season. People also wear kodi vastram (new clothes) on this day. Patassu (fire crackers) are burst in the midst of dancing and merry to mark the day.

A group of young men and women dress up as ‘chozhi’ , wearing a skirt of dried banana leaves and masks on their faces and go from house to house in the village dancing and collecting small amounts of money. On Vishu, these entertainers get good rewards for their performances. The money is spent on the Vishuwela (the New Year Fair).

Vishu occupies a unique position in more than one respect. It has none of the pomp and show that most other Hindu religious festivals have. In addition, Vishu has nothing to do with religion although its observance is as solemn as any religious occasion.

It has already been 13 days since the Muslims have started their month of fasting. It is Ramadhan and fasting is observed and practiced by not just the Muslims in Malaysia but also the non- Muslims. The reward of fasting is the ability to break fast as a family or with friends in fostering the relationship between each other.

The month of Ramadhan is believed to be the month of which the Qur’an was revealed to Angel Gabriel, to deliver it to Prophet Muhammad. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadan that begins after Eid ul-Fitr; these days need not be consecutive. According to hadith, one who fasts the month of Ramadan and six days during Shawwal will be rewarded as though he fasted the entire year. The coming of the Shawwal is a very much anticipated celebration, better known as Aidilfitri.

The surgical department was at it again. They planned and executed the plan so well that I would say it was a success. The breaking fast was especially exciting as a few of the non- Muslims tried fasting too. The venue was at Maya Hotel and the food was excellent.

Enjoy

Happy Onam!

For those who don’t know, this is the biggest celebration among the Malayalees, akin New Calender Year. Onam 2008 is on September 12, Friday

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.

Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators.

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Pulikali: In this performers take the guise of tigers. They paint their bodies yellow with patterns of black and red. Scenes of tiger hunting goats and tigers being hunted by humans are beautifully depicted through this folk art. Beat for the performance is provided by udukku and thakil.

Valamkali ( Boat race): The event is held just a few days before Thiru Onam. Though the event takes place at several places in the city, the most important of them all is the one organised at Alappuzha. A large number of big and decorated boats called chundan vallams participate with hundreds of boatmen. Rowing of boats on the rhythm provided by the songs and music of the drum makes it a captivating event.

Thiruvathirakali and girls in the traditional Malayali saree: elegant clap dance performed on the occasion of Onam. In this women sing songs praising the legendary King Mahabali and dance around the pookalam. At the centre of this is placed a lit bronze lamp called nilavilakku. It is a captivating sight to watch troupe of female dancers performing in their traditional Kerala attire consisting of gold bordered off-white mundu-neriyathu and decked with a fragrant gajra in their hair.

Thrikkakara Appan: On the day of Thiruvonam conical figures in various forms are prepared from sticky clay and are painted red. These are decorated with a paste made of rice-flour and water and are placed in the front court yard and other important places in the house. Some of these clay figures are in the shape of cone and others represent figures of Gods. Those in the shape of a cone are called, ‘Trikkakara Appan’.

Local Keralite ladies wearing the simple traditional saree on the Onam swing

Please check out Onam Festivals for more pictures and information and also features some special recipes.
(Taken from http://www.onamfestival.org/what-is-onam.html)

Lately, we managed to meet up, Paga,Kunalan and I. It has been ages, well actually just about 4 years ago since our last meet when we, the three of us had dinner at Victoria’s Station. Again, another individual, Basheer, in this friendship of four was absent. Then again, being a cardiothoracic surgeon in the far northern Pearl of the Orient, it isn’t easy for him to come down.

The meet was planned and as usual, I had to choose the dinner venue. In Petaling Jaya, well after cracking the already knotted brains of mine, it was decided that we meet at Unique Seafood at Section 13, PJ.

Paga

Paga, hmmm……. is that your drink!?

Kunalan, enjoying the meal.

The four of us met when we joined University Malaya for our undergraduate studies. There we were somehow brought together by the orientation week or rather month that was ongoing at that time. We bonded almost immediately despite I having some teething problems to the friendship initially. We eventually made our way to India together for a 2 month holiday well actually medical attachment where our friendship was sealed forever. After graduation, we went our separate ways but always in contact and formed our own life dramas in the process.

A few days later, I was informed that a good friend and a colleague was going to be transferred to another hospital. We are good friends, and were able to work quite well together despite various disagreements. We were each others confidante and now it would be different coming to work.

Ooi See En

I was again depressed and felt alone all of a sudden. Some of us decided to get together and throw her a dinner at El Nafourah, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur. We ate and drank, laughed and gossiped, but I was still feeling upset somehow.

The hotel and its attraction

Ridwan, the dinner organisers

Anitha and Irina confusing the waiter over the orders.

That led to slapping – a common incident among doctors on recent times maybe even in those days

And more arguments

while we watched in anticipation of more female duel, till….

This guy, Poh who looks like he’s twisting his wife’s left ear, decided to calm the girls…

It was only after that, the orders were made and dinner was served….. and by the looks on our faces, .. it was good, wasn’t it?

When all was over, we parted ways keeping silent of our own feelings. So would I miss her? Of course, but our paths will cross and this is the best move for her, I think and hope.

Well, I have been waiting for this and now I manage to go for the 26th July performance. That would be the only day I would be free to catch and of course the highlight for me was to catch Mia Palencia.

The venue was at Plaza Mont Kiara. The layout was acceptable. It was packed when I reached there with the center area just in front of the stage being left empty. Many photographers took this to their advantage as I grow in jealousy to see them aiming their delicious gadgets (DSLR) and having the time of their life taking shots .

The music I felt was too loud at its bases. The crowd was there quite obviously for Mia Palencia because by the end of Phunk Mob performance which was for me was a little lack of the jazz soul, most had left and the audience picked up again just before Mia Palencia came back on stage at 11.15 pm. Bassgroove 100 played just before Mia came on stage and they were good but with the anticipation and the warm and humid environment, the audience was geting restless a little. Things were not the same the day before as many reviews said that the 25th performance was fantastic and so was the turnout. It was also too hot and humid for the musicians who were drenched in sweat just about 10 minutes into their performance.

Mia Palencia

I did my share for the local jazz industries by buying Mia’s and Karen Nunis’s albums. No matter what, personally I think this was of good effort and should be done regularly. Jazz awareness is still quite infantile in Malaysia but that is also because jazz is a lot about the feelings and moods of the musicians and harmony between them, which is also why not many people take to jazz easily. Even for me, there are some forms of jazz that is difficult to like. Hmmm….. maybe I should do some research on jazz then…..hmmm.

Sultan Abdul Hamid Collegians can stand proud again as this prestigious school once again stand above all to celebrate its 100years.

The celebration activities actually started in Jun last year with a fund raising dinner held at PWTC organised by SAHOCA on the 3rd of November 2007.

Tomorrow, there would be a THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY HUNT.

The SAHOCA Treasure Hunt 2008 with the theme “ Jom Sambut 100 Tahun Kolej” was initiated by SAHOCA Selangor/ Kuala Lumpur to motivate ex-collegians in the Klang Valley to make a journey to Alor Setar and partake in the festivities organized in conjunction with the 100 years Kolej celebration and events.

The starting point is the Car Park B, One Utama Shopping Kompleks, Petaling Jaya and he finishing pint is the Kolej School Hall, in Alor Setar.

The flag off will be at 7.45am on the 24th July 2008 and the closing time of arrival is at 5.00pm at Kolej Hall, Alor Setar.

PROGRAM FOR TREASURE HUNT 2008 – ( 24th July 2008. )

7.00 am
Gathering at Car Park B, One Utama, PJ
7.15 am
Final Briefing by Hunt Club, Organiser
7.45am
Flag- Off by VIP Hunt will traverse North South Highway and into Kedah – Entry into Alor Setar is the North Toll PlazaTreasure Hunting around Alor Setar with relevance points of interest to Kedahan and ex Collegians

5.00pm
Hunt Closes at Kolej Hall, Alor SetarAfternoon Tea at Kolej Hall
6.30 pm
LCD Answer presentation and Prize Award
7.00pm
Event Ends

On the 26th of July, would be the Centenary Celebration Day.

For a walk down the memory lane, check out Down Memory Lane

As for me, I would have to miss it. I am on call tomorrow and would have to work on Saturday too.
However, I have a facebook group that I have created which have managed to bring together many of us. Hopefully the group can do more that just be online.