In Attingal Last Week: Onam Fever, Marriage Season, and A Flurry Of Inaugurations

Onam Fever: The Malayali Flu That Recurs Every Year

The Malayalam month of Chingam started on August 17 this year. The month invariably kick-starts a spending-mania in Kerlaites that culminates on the evening of Uthradom, when only hours would be left for Thiruvonam. The newly rich and the newly wed make it an occasion to flaunt their wealth by purchasing dresses, toys, and home appliances to all and sundry. Others who do not want to be left behind spend their entire salaries and bonuses – and even take loans and credit if their earnings are not enough to satisfy the spending-thirst of the family.

The old Malayalam saying Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanam (which can be liberally translated as celebrate Onam at any cost) has been literally adopted by the modern-day Malayali. Attingal proves no exception to this statewide phenomenon. You can see large crowds in front of most of the shops, particularly inside textile shops, jewelries, and general merchant stores.

However, the biggest queues have been seen in front of Maveli stores and Onam fairs organized by cooperative societies. One reason for the long queues is the price of the rice. It costs only Rs.14/- here. One has to pay up to Rs.25/- in open market. However, please don’t think it is easy to get rice and other items at such low prices. You will have to spend at least three hours in the queue to attain this price salvation. However, most people agree that it is worth the wait. All for the sake of Mahabali.

Marriage Season: Marriages Happen In Chingam

Despite the rising incidence of divorces (or may be because of that), more and more parents think that conducting marriages in Chingam is safer for the future of their children. I have been invited to more than 20 marriages that are to be held in the next two weeks. Is there any software for marriage planning? Planning for attending the marriages, that is. This Sunday alone has five. It will take a super human effort to attend all. Happy Onam to all the newly weds.

And Even Shop Inaugurations Happen In Chingam

A number of shops were inaugurated in Attingal last week – three of them textiles. Pooja Hypershoppe started separate show rooms for men and kids opposite to their main show room at Kacherinada. Another textile show room called Anarkali was inaugurated in the shopping complex in front of SR theatre, which is only a saree's length away from Pooja. In addition, a kids-wear show room called Kidscape was also inaugurated near Attingal Municipal office.

Even an engineering college started functioning on the first day of Chingam. Rajadhani Institute of Engineering Technology (RIET) is situated at Nedumparambu, near Attingal.

Comments

tejas said…
I must say this is a terrific blog, a pleasure to read. I came here looking to know about Attingal as my father once lived here.

I feel like I know a lot more about the place now with the help of your stories.