Sindhu Lohithadas on Onam celebrations: Instant curry mixes have spoiled the authenticity of dishes

Onam is here and M-town is celebrating the festival with great enthusiasm. "Onam is a time when we worship mother earth for nurturing us with love and care. I would like to refer to Onam as

‘Bhoomi Penninte Kalyanam’

(The wedding of the earth). It's her wedding and we are celebrating it," says Sindhu Lohithadas, wife of late veteran filmmaker and screenwriter, AK Lohithadas. Sindhu is all set to welcome the festival of prosperity, having cleaned her house and prepared special delicacies for the occasion. "Regardless of caste and creed, let's celebrate Onam with pomp, serving mother earth and growing a good connection with her," stated greets Sindhu Lohithadas cheerfully.

In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Sindhu opens up about her memories of the special festival and its importance:

Wedding of Mother Earth
I would like to take it this way that just before

Vishu

, Earth is similar to a disrobed

Panchali

. The Sun God comes closer to Earth and we have perfect climatic conditions to sow the seeds. We offer the last fruits and vegetables of the season to the Sun God and seek his blessings. After which we sow the seeds, by doing so we are protecting her purity and dressing her. Later comes the month of Chingam when the crops are ready and the flowers blossom, expressing their happiness. The clouds are clear and mother earth is dressed up like a beautiful bride and we celebrate her wedding by preparing the traditional feast of Onam Sadhya.

Worshipping Mother Earth
Pookkalam is also an important part of Onam. By placing Thrikkakara Appan near Pookkalam, we are worshipping mother Earth. If we don’t serve mother Earth well, we may have to face her wrath.

Uthrada Chantha with Lohithadas sir
Those were the glorious days when we would visit the local Uthrada Chantha (a special stall selling vegetables and other goods). We used to get organic products. Apart from buying goods, visiting those stalls was like taking a break from all your thoughts.

Onam delicacies
Instant curry mixes have spoiled the authenticity of dishes. In the older days each house had its own flavor, no two sambhars would taste the same. I too have my own style of cooking and prepare my own curry mixes.