The Vishu festive spirit of Kerala.
Vishu, the traditional Malayali New Year, is a time of celebration and new beginnings. One of the most important aspects of Vishu is the Vishu Kani, which is a collection of items that are arranged in a specific manner to signify abundance and prosperity for the upcoming year. This auspicious occasion is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal, and one of the key elements of the festival is the Vishu Kani.
The Vishu Kani is a traditional setup of items that are arranged in front of a mirror, which is meant to be the first thing that one sees on the day of Vishu. The Kani is believed to bring prosperity and good luck for the coming year. The preparation of Vishu Kani involves meticulous planning and attention to detail. Preparing a traditional Vishu Kani is a significant ritual in Kerala culture. It symbolizes hope, prosperity, and renewal.
Let’s take a closer look at the traditional items that are included in the Vishu Kani.
Uruli- A brass uruli is a main element while preparing Vishu Kani. The vegetables and fruits are arranged in the Uruli. Kanikonna- Kanikonna is the important flower used in Vishu Kani. It have great importance in the Kani preparation. Valkannadi – The Valkannadi is a traditional mirror that is placed at the center of the Vishu Kani. This mirror is typically made of brass or silver and is believed to reflect the image of God. Nilavilakku – The Nilavilakku is a traditional lamp that is placed beside the mirror. This lamp is typically made of brass or bronze and is lit early in the morning on the day of Vishu. Vegetables & Fruits- Mango, Jackfruit, cucumber, Pineapple, Coconut, banana etc are the important items included in the list Thirudada – The Thirudada is a special type of decorative piece made of cloth and is used to give more beauty to the Vishu Kani. Kindi – The Kindi is a traditional water vessel that is used to pour water over the idol of Lord Krishna, which is also included in the Vishu Kani. This water is then used to wash the eyes before seeing the Vishu Kani. Para – The Para is a traditional vessel that is used to store grains and other food items. This vessel is included in the Vishu Kani to symbolize abundance and prosperity. Pudava- Pudava refers to the traditional Kerala dress. Coin & Gold ornaments- coin is placed in Kani as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The Idol of Shree Krishna is also placed alongside the Vishu Kani. The first step in preparing a Vishu Kani is to gather all the items required. The main items include a brass urn called “uruli,” betel leaves, flowers, rice, fruits, vegetables, gold ornaments, coins, and a mirror. The urali is filled with water and decorated with betel leaves. The uruli is placed in the center, and the other items are arranged around it. The mirror is placed in front of the urali to reflect the Kani. After setting up the Kani, it is decorated with flowers. Marigold and kanikkonna flowers are commonly used for decoration. The betel leaves are also placed around the Kani. The Kani is then adorned with rice and fruits, including jackfruit, mangoes, and bananas. Gold ornaments and coins are also placed in the Kani to symbolize wealth and prosperity. Lamps are lit around the Kani to signify the victory of light over darkness.
Kerala’s new excise policy gives toddy ‘family-friendly’ makeover.
The state government announced its new Excise Policy, which focuses on branding toddy as family-friendly and relaxing dry-day restrictions to promote tourism. The policy aims to modernise toddy shops and make them accessible to families. Outlets will be designed according to standards with quality amenities, and cleanliness will be ensured. The shops will also serve traditional food. Hotels in the category of three-star and above at notified tourism destinations will be allowed to start toddy parlors for foreign tourists.
Kerala governor opens pandora’s box on Supreme Court ruling against Governor’s power.
In a sharp response to the recent Supreme Court verdict against Tamil Nadu Governor, Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar said if Constitutional amendments are brought in by the Apex Court, then what are Parliament and legislatures for.
Terming the SC verdict a judicial overreaction, he said the SC should have referred the matter to a larger bench. Arlekar made the remarks in an interview with a national dailyl;. For the first time, the Supreme Court has prescribed that the president should decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received.
Photos of Hamas leader, Islamist figures at Waqf protest in Kerala triggers row.
A protest march organised by the Solidarity Movement against the Waqf Amendment Bill near Karipur airport in Kerala’s Kozhikode triggered a political controversy after demonstrators displayed images of controversial Islamist figures.
Among the photos carried by protestors were those of Sayyid Qutb, a key ideologue of the Muslim Brotherhood; slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar; jailed student activist Umar Khalid; and Sheikh Hassan al-Banna (1906–1949), the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries.
Karuvannur bank scam: CPM amassed Rs 100 crore undisclosed wealth, alleges ED.
The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank fraud, has found that the CPM amassed undisclosed wealth to the tune of Rs 100 crore over the past 10 years in Thrissur district.
Multiple bank accounts were opened for collecting funds and later closed to evade tracking by investigating agencies and the Election Commission, the ED said in a report filed before the High Court in response to a petition seeking CBI probe into the Karuvannur scam.
The source of the deposits were party levies, election fund, commission from beneficiaries of illegal loans from Karuvannur Bank, and contributions by nominated members, who in turn collect commission from borrowers, the report said.
Meanwhile, the High Court on Friday directed the crime branch to start a probe against all persons, including CPM leaders, whose names appear in the Enforcement Case Information Report in connection with the Karuvannur scam.
According to the ED report in High Court, the funds collected were partly utilised for local expenses, party meetings, acquisition of land and buildings for the party, and election-related expenses.
These bank accounts, deposits, and assets—including local party offices—were not declared in the audited financial statements of the CPM at the district, state, or national levels, the ED said.
Top contenders for KPCC president post.
If the sources with the party serve right about the Congress high command dismissing news reports on discussions related to electing a new KPCC president, Anto Antony has turned out to be frontrunner for the top post. The four-time MP from Pathanamthitta since 2009, Anto has several factors favouring him, such as being a trusted lieutenant of former CM Oommen Chandy. After the ‘A’ group became weak, the prominent positions in the party were held by leaders of the ‘I’ group.
The Church has also not been happy with the leaders’ approach towards community representation. Anto, a Roman Catholic, has maintained a good rapport with all the Churches and with the NSS as well.
Besides, he has good relations with national leaders, including organisational general secretary K C Venugopal. Anto had reportedly organised a Christmas celebration in Delhi recently with participation from national leadership.
Kerala youth kills boy after he threatens to reveal sexual abuse bid, held.
The Mala police on Friday arrested a 20-year-old youth for the alleged murder of a six-year-old boy at Kuzhur the day before. Police said, Jojo, the accused, confessed to trying to sexually abuse the boy, Abel, and killing him by pushing him in an unused muddy pond when he threatened to reveal the incident to his mother.
As per the police, Abel, the son of Ajeesh, had gone out to play football with his friends at the playground near his house in Mala on Thursday evening. Abel’s friends reported him missing when his parents came looking for him. Around 6.30pm, a search was launched. a resident. Jojo, who lives around 250m away from the pond, also joined the search. He told the residents that he had spotted Abel near the pond and asked him to leave. When people questioned him, he stood firm and said Abel ran away when he was asked to leave. Not convinced with his version of the events, the residents alerted the police. “Jojo said he tried to sexually abuse the boy, but the latter resisted. And when the boy said he would share the bitter experience with his mother, Jojo allegedly pushed him into the pond,” said the officer.
After 9pm, following Jojo’s confession, the police recovered the child’s body. He was produced in court after evidence collection and placed in remand. He had been convicted in a theft case when he was younger and sent to a correctional home.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan defends SNDP leader Vellappally Natesan’s alleged hate speech;
Doing a balancing act, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan showered praise on one hand and advised caution on the other as he greeted Vellappally Natesan, in the eye of a storm after his stingy remarks on Malappuram, on the 30th anniversary of his ascension to the office of the SNDP Yogam general secretary.
Inaugurating the public meeting held on Friday, Pinarayi said Vellappally has consistently upheld secularism. However, at times, his words were misinterpreted by rivals and communal forces. “Those who know him very closely are well aware that he is a person who does not take a stand against any particular religion. He stands for the welfare of people and religious harmony. Unfortunately, some controversies surfaced in recent times. Some misunderstandings arose from one of his speeches. He should exercise greater caution in such matters. We live in an era where there is a tendency to deliberately misrepresent statements,” Pinarayi said, referring to Vellappally’s recent controversial remark describing Malappuram district as a “State of one particular community where even fresh breath is hard to find” for the backward Ezhava community.
CPM terms case against Veena political; has nothing to do with LDF: Kerala CPI.
Differences within the Left front over the SFIO case against the chief minister’s daughter spilled out into the open on Friday. Even as the CPM leadership took pains to explain that the Exalogic case involving Veena T was a political conspiracy, Left ally CPI termed it an issue over a transaction between two companies and that the LDF had nothing to do with the case.
Going to great lengths to protect Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter in the controversy, CPM state secretary M V Govindan termed the case a media-political conspiracy.
Addressing reporters after the party secretariat meeting, Govindan questioned the basis for raising moral questions over the chief minister’s daughter signing a contract with a company that has government shares.
“The CPM will fight any attempt to destabilise the CM and the LDF government. The real aim behind the case is political vendetta. Why is the media silent about funds to the tune of Rs 16.4 crore that the media received from CMRL? Many political leaders from other parties too have received funds. Yet the media is keeping mum. The cases against former party chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s son and CM’s daughter are different from each other,” Govindan said.
