On Onam

 

As the sun rises, another Onam comes

& I nostaligize an Onam, 23 years ago

When my non-Malayali classmates 

Traversed the breadth of town

In search of a sadhya

& was forced to make peace with fried rice,

For that was a time when all Malayalis

Were busy spending time with their families

& at home were floral carpets, swings, Onam music, the awaited homemade sadhya & finally the TV movie with a 100 interrupting ads.

Maveli too I suppose must remember those times

All too well

For today there is home-delivered sadhya with all 27 items

& OTT to watch whatever movie whenever 

As well as Amazon purchases

So that each family member can sit in a corner

& forget about connecting this Onam with family

Well unless you mean the virtual kind.

As Maveli looks at a sadly digital Onam

Does he miss those days too when we saw faces not screens?

Will his rule ever happen again amidst such virtual chaos?

I see him leaving with a sigh

Unable to greet his people locked into their screens

& locked out from good times past. 

Happy Onam again he says as he leaves with a tear

Wondering whether there will be a next time 

Unless digitally.