Malayalees rejoice with food and family

Malayalees in the city will celebrate Vishu (New Year) tomorrow (April 15) with family, lots of south Indian food and the blessings of elders.

According to the traditional Malayalee calendar, Vishu is the first day of the first month Medam of the New Year. The most important ritual on this day is vishukani (meaning the first sight on Vishu).

At Megha Iyer’s home, the vishukani consists of raw rice, a split coconut, raw mangoes, betel leaves, yellow flowers (konna) and a burning lamp placed before a mirror that’s decorated with gold and silver ornaments. 

This 23-year-old’s family has been in the city for the last 30 years, and have adapted their customs according to the space and time available.

“We do have problems when it comes to making the rangoli, since on this day it has to be big,” said Iyer, 23. The rangoli, which is made with a paste of rice soaked in water, is prepared in such a way that it doesn’t cause inconvenience to neighbours. The Iyer family holds a get-together every year, where all relatives perform puja and have lunch together.

The vishukani is the first thing to be seen early morning, after waking as it is believed to herald a year of good things ahead. “Wherever you are, the vishukani is a customary ritual: first looking at god’s picture, then at the kani, then into the mirror and finally taking your parents and elders blessings,” said Supriya Nair, 21, a CA student.