From the Principal Desk
At the very outset let me wish you all a very happy Onam! The festival of Onam has the power to strengthen our bonds of relationships. It makes us part of one family irrespective of our differences. It imparts to us the vision of an alternative community where there is peace, justice truth and abundance for all.
Onam is also a time of welcoming and receiving and an occasion to welcome the great king Mahabali who visits people once a year. It is highly probable that the king got his name Mahabali after this generous giving. The greatness of life is often measured by how much one is ready to give and how humble and gracious one is in receiving gifts. And it is the measure of our spirituality as well. Our spirituality is often measured by our ability to receive those who are different from us. Both the acts of giving and receiving have to be gracious and sometimes it can become dehumanizing and humiliating. Vamanan displays an ungracious attitude in receiving the gifts while Mahablai shows how honourable it is to give even to offer oneself for the other.
As we celebrate the festival of onam it is my prayer and wish that the Triune God enable us to live as a community that practices divine generosity and true hospitality.
Rev. Prakash K. George
Chief Editor
Onam has rich traditional roots drawn from the epics of history. A strong historical culture has been passed down through the timeline of Kerala’s festivity. The great sacrifice and the eagerly awaited yearly visit of the glorious king had been the reason for this jubilation and unity. More than a religious purpose it served to enhance the land’s integrity and harmony. But somewhere down the lane of history, a few decades has had a destructive turn with the entry of religious motives, global structures and commodisation of culture and tradition. There is always the question? Why must Christians celebrate Onam? To us, it should not be a religious festival, but a season of the land where justice must prevail, righteousness must linger. Our focus must be therefore to uphold goodness that this festival exuberates every minute.
It seems a lot of negativity surrounds us today. What we need, however, is not negativity but relativity. Relations must be re-defined through these celebrations, caste-class-creed barriers must be overcome through solidarity during this period. The true spirit of Onam lies in the oneness of a community strengthened and empowered by each other. The seminary community has strived to live in this harmony over the years. The Chalanam Onam website is a new initiative of the Chalanam Committee. The Hard work of this year’s convener Mr. Subin Sam Mammen is stupendous and appreciable. All efforts by the committee members is commendable. Hope all of us view the literary works in this website and get a feel of this festival. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Onam.
Tony Eapen Varkey
Onam has rich traditional roots drawn from the epics of history. A strong historical culture has been passed down through the timeline of Kerala’s festivity. The great sacrifice and the eagerly awaited yearly visit of the glorious king had been the reason for this jubilation and unity. More than a religious purpose it served to enhance the land’s integrity and harmony. But somewhere down the lane of history, a few decades has had a destructive turn with the entry of religious motives, global structures and commodisation of culture and tradition. There is always the question? Why must Christians celebrate Onam? To us, it should not be a religious festival, but a season of the land where justice must prevail, righteousness must linger. Our focus must be therefore to uphold goodness that this festival exuberates every minute.
It seems a lot of negativity surrounds us today. What we need, however, is not negativity but relativity. Relations must be re-defined through these celebrations, caste-class-creed barriers must be overcome through solidarity during this period. The true spirit of Onam lies in the oneness of a community strengthened and empowered by each other. The seminary community has strived to live in this harmony over the years. The Chalanam Onam website is a new initiative of the Chalanam Committee. The Hard work of this year’s convener Mr. Subin Sam Mammen is stupendous and appreciable. All efforts by the committee members is commendable. Hope all of us view the literary works in this website and get a feel of this festival. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Onam.
Tony Eapen Varkey
Onam Chalanam Convenor
In a world riven by discrimination and division, it is rare to see people joining hands and standing as one. Onam is one such great unifer, where malayalis across the world shed their differences to celebrate the return of their beloved king Mahabali. It is a time to reflect on the mythical golden era, where goodness was bountiful and there was no sight of evil.
Onam is a reminder to all of us that through unconditional love and sacrifice it is possible to create a heaven and earth. Onam inspires us to strive to re-establish our glorious past.
This year, we have more reason to cheer as our Chalanam Onam edition is going online for the first time. This website provides the literary works of the students who won first and second in the literary competition in the form of poems, stories and essays.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our principal Rev. Dr. Prakash K. George for his vision and guidance in making the Chalanam Onam website a reality. I would also like to mention gratitude for the efforts of our staff advisor Shibi Varghese achen. I also take this time to appreciate the hard work of the Editorial team led by Tony Eapen Varkey. I hope the website is just a stepping stone to achieve great successes in future.
Subin Sam Mammen