Pookkalam - The Art of Flowers

Pookkalam also known as Athappookkalam, is an integral part of the Onam celebration in Kerala. The word Pookkalam is derived from two words; 'Poovu' (flower) and 'Kalam' (colour sketches on ground). According to legends Athapookalam used as a sign to welcome king Mahabali (or) Maveli. Traditionally Athappookkalam made of Dashapushpam; the ten sacred flowers namely Vishukranthi (Evolvulus Alsinoides), Karuka (Cynodon Dactylon), Muyal cheviyan (Emilia Sonchifolia), Thiruthaali (Ipomoea Sepiaria), Cheroola(Avera Lanata), Nilappana (Curculigo Orchiodies), Kayyonni (Eclipta Alba), Poovaamkurunnila (Cyanthillium Cinereum),Mukkutti (Biophytum Sensitivum), and Uzhinja (Cardiospermum Halicacabum), and other traditional common flowers such as Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakkappoovu, Thechippoovu, Arippoovu (Lantana), Chembarathippoovu (Shoe flower) etc. Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookkalam because it is considered as the favorite flower of the king Mahabali.

The traditional ritual of laying Pookalam in the houses starts on this Atham day. The size of Pookkalam on Atham day is small in size and simple as well. Only one kind of flower called Thumbapoovu in local parlance will be used on this day. The second day (Chithira) is marked off when a second layer is added with the Thumbapoovu in the Pookalam design. The size of the Pookkakam is increased by adding more to it on every passing day hence a massive Pookkalam gets ready for the last day of Onam celebration that is Thiruvonam day. On the auspicious Thiruvonam day (tenth day), Pookkalam will be more intricate and colourful with ten different types of flowers.

Designing Pookkalam is itself as the product of keen interest, dedication, passion, creativity and efforts. Like in the case of everything; the tradition, design, dimension and patterns of the Pookkalam differ from region to region in Kerala. In South Kerala the image of Ganapathi has been placed in the center of the last tier. With passage of time this must have changed in these regions. In Central Kerala the earthen or wooden pyramidal forms about one and half to two feet high and 3 square inches of base and one and half square inches of top decorated with Arimaavu (Rice flour batter) water and flowers on top have been placed with the Pookkakam symbolizes the Thrikkakarappan, or Vamanan, one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Earlier, people used to make efforts and dedication to collect flowers for the Pookkalam; children used to get up early morning and collect flowers from the village areas in their Pookkooda (Small basket); elders and family members would be at hand to encourage the children for designing the most beautiful Pookkalam. Nowadays making Pookkalam has become an easy task. Imported ready made Pookkalam and flowers are easily available in the market. The traditional art of making Pookkalam in the Onam days has vanished from the people’s mind and it became the act of competition for the money and prizes.

Bibliography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasapushpam

http://www.onamfestival.org/pookalam.html

Photo Credit

Ananthu H

Civil Faculty

CAAD Centre, Punalur.

Kerala