Vishu

India welcomes the season of spring with great fervor which, manifests itself as colourful festivals in the various parts of the country. Only the onset of spring brings with it, the real beginning of a year in the different states. In the south, the Malayalee New Year starts on the 14th of April and is celebrated as the festival of Vishu.

Vishu is the first day in the first Malayalam month of Medam (March – April). The traditional rituals followed in the festival are believed to usher in another year of prosperity for the Keralites. The predominant colour during the festival is yellow. The heart of the festival is the preparation of the kani (the auspicious sight or gift), which is observed in the expectation of a fruitful and prosperous new year.

The Vishukani is prepared by the elderly women of the family the night before Vishu and the family members are supposed to view it only after midnight. The kani is place in front of an image of Lord Vishnu and diyas are lit up (these are usually normal lamps but in some cases they use lamps made of coconut halves). The Kani consists of a large dish made of bell-metal (uruli),on which a grantha (palm-leaf manuscript), a gold ornament, a new cloth with zari (pure gold thread), some yellow flowers from the konna tree (cassia fistula), some coins in a silver cup, some water in an 'od ' (a traditional vessel), a split coconut, a cucumber, some mangoes, and a jack-fruit are arranged.  On either side of the dish are two burning lamps with a chair facing it. All these things are usually set up in the living room of the house.

Early on Vishu morning, the oldest woman of the family is the first to view the kani after finishing her puja. Then she blindfolds each member of the family, takes them to the living room and sets them in front of the display. Then the blindfolds are removed so they may view the Vishu kani. The idea being, that all the members of the family look at the Vishu kani the first thing in the morning. The kani is then taken from the home to the homes of the poor for their benefit. 

During the rule of the Rajas, state officials used to pay respects to the reigning king to wish him a Happy New Year. They would offer gifts and receive presents from him.  Today, the head of the family (Karanavan) gives gifts of money to children, servants, and tenants. The day is marked by a grand feast at home for all the members of the family and dependents.

The Malayalis make elaborate preparations for this day to ensure that the year ahead will be a fruitful one. This festival shares the spirit that can be observed in all the festivals of spring – the spirit of hope and expectations that a new dawn brings.