1930s- 1950s- Hari raya in Kerala
Narrated by my father, Kunhimon bin Hydross
During my childhood and early teenage years I celebrated Hari raya in Kerala, India This was between the 1930's and 1950's. Generally I suppose the celebration is about the same as it is now but for some minor differences.
Aidul Fitr is known as Nombu Perunal (Hariraya Puasa) or Ceriya Perunal ( The smaller Hari Raya). This is because The Aidul Adha ( The Valiya perunnal ) is a bigger celebration carried on for 3 days whereas Aidul Fitr is only celebrated for one day.
The early preparation for hari raya starts a few weeks ahead. New dresses needs to be stitched as its not available off the shelf as it is today. The whole family (except mother) used to go to the Perunal Chandha ( the Hariraya Market). which is actually just regular shops where you can buy new cloths to be stitched at the same area. Men usually stitch shirt and buy sarong whereas the ladies' blouse and Kaachi(sarong) are stitched using the sample dress they bring for measurement. In earlier days the ladies blouse in tight fitting long sleeve shirts, usually white in colour and patterns stitched on to it. These are usually hand stitched by ladies specially skilled in doing it called 'PaNi Kuppayam'(Blouse with design works).
By the 26th Ramadhan , the cooking starts. Cookies such as neiyyappam and kalathappam are made at this time. On the eve of 27th Ramadhan we would go to the nearby mosques for Maghrib prayers and later after Isyak, the elders would give Fitr Zakat as well as alms to the poor.
We did not have TV or radio back then . The sighting of the new moon is made known to public by azan from the mosques. This is then echoed by the nearby mosque and as such the message is passed on. Occasionally, some area miss out on the news and may only know of the Hari Raya the next day, when they have already started fasting.
On the eve of Hari Raya, the celebration already begins. The ladies wear henna and make preparations for the celebration. The men start takbir to later part of the night. The children are all ready for the new year with the new clothes folded and ready for the next day.
On the hari raya day, the men take bath, wear their new cloth and go to the mosques. After prayers, they stop by the graves of the relatives who had passed away to pray for them. By the time they are back, it is already time for lunch. The ladies meanwhile would have prepared for the feast.
The lunch is usually a grand but a family affair. Everybody takes this meal at their own house together with their family. This is one days when everybody in the family will be together no matter how busy they are on the other days. The feast usually consists of rice, beef, mutton, chicken and vegetable. Moru and pulinji are two specialties. The whole family would eat from a whole banana leaf. The rice would be in the center and shared by the whole family sitting face to face sitting on either side of the leaf.
After lunch the ladies will retire to their quarters and engage in folksongs while clapping hands (Kai Kottu Paattu ). We children used to enjoy this occasion mixing and singing songs for them. In the afternoon the youth will engage in 'Panthu KaLi' (Ball Game) which was very popular those days.
Towards the afternoon there with be more home made cookies. Must of us will be stuffed towards the evening and dinner is usually light.
Playing firecracker is a favourite among children and youth. We used to get brimstone and sulfur from the nearby town to make firecrackers ourselves- dangerous but we used to do it. the black ones are called 'Pottas' while the yellow ones made of sulfur are called 'Manola'
On the second day we used to visit our uncles' houses...
Hisham Kunhimon