Vishu - The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

 

Vishu has been my favorite festival right since my childhood. The various rituals associated with this festival make it unique and very, very special.

The main ritual is seeing the Vishu kani – the first thing to see when you wake up in the morning. Vishu Kani is an assortment of rice, pulses, coins, notes, jewellery, vegetables and fruits placed in a pattern. A mirror is placed strategically in the center of this assortment, the purpose being that all the objects kept in the Kani are reflected in the mirror. This signifies abundance. An idol or photo of Lord Krishna is usually placed along with the platter of fruits and vegetables.

Vishu being the New Year for Keralites, this ritual symbolizes seeing something very auspicious the very first thing in the morning after waking up. This is to set a precedence for the whole year, a hope that every day of the New Year will be blessed and auspicious.

My parents would set up the Vishu Kani at night, not allowing me, my sister and my cousins to get even a tiny glimpse. We would be sent off to another room while they decorated the platter. The next morning, we would be woken up with stern instructions and reminders from my parents to not to open our eyes. They would lead us to the place where the Vishu Kani had been placed and only when we were seated, they would allow us to open our eyes. The very first glimpse of the beautiful assortment never failed to amaze us. My parents would remind us to see the reflection in the mirror as well.

Most of the times, once this ritual was done with, we kids would get ready to visit the temple in our town along with my parents and relatives. It was mandatory to wear new clothes on Vishu and visit the temple in the morning. The said temple is the Guruvayurappan temple in Dombivli where we could meet almost every South-Indian that we knew in the town. Autorickshaws would have a field day, transporting people to the temple in lots.

The main attraction of Vishu, however, was the Kaineetam that we would receive from the elders in the family. Kaineetam means a token amount of money gifted by elders to children. There were many relatives and there were many kids too. The standard of living wasn’t too costly then, but most of us were middle-class families. And yet, people would set aside a bundle of notes and coins specially for Kaineetam. Sometimes we received Rs.11, sometimes Rs.51 and some rare times, Rs.251. This used to be a big deal those days.

Today I look back upon all those people who have given some token amount to me, my sister, my cousins and even my friends, unfailingly every year. I marvel at the generosity of their spirit. I feel nostalgic and emotional thinking about those little token amounts that gave the most happiness. People would actually call at my home and ask my parents when we all kids would be coming to their homes to receive the money. These people had big families of their own, had their share of struggles, and yet, had the biggest heart.

There is a huge difference in celebrating Vishu as a child, and today as an adult. As a child, Vishu was about enjoying the delicacies prepared by the elders in my family. As an adult, it is about planning what to prepare and what all is needed. As a child, Vishu meant getting to watch the Kani first thing in the morning with the help of my parents. As an adult, it is all about seeing the Kani on my own and ensuring that my kid watches it immediately after he wakes up. It is about reminding him to keep his eyes closed as I take him towards the Kani. As a child, Vishu meant going to the market with my parents and shopping for new dresses with them. As an adult, it means shopping for my kid. As a child, Vishu was all about receiving Vishu Kaineetam. As an adult, it is about giving Kaineetam.

Vishu symbolizes the power of having a generous spirit. It stands for new and auspicious beginnings. It is the ultimate reminder to believe in abundance and to give generously. It is the gift that keeps on giving!