"Koottu" Onam 2023 - Tracy

The hall was bursting with activity - three rows of seating for the sadya,  women in kerala saree, men in white mundu, serving and eating a full plantain leaf of potluck homemade tasty and nostalgic dishes. What stood out on one corner was a photobooth in "vanji" theme. 

Next up was cultural programs outside the hall, in the open lawn. Kids surfaced good talent in a guitar performance, and a duo song with traditional touch.  The vibe fun dance performance from the core guys hit a surprise note when maveli did not show up after heavy "maveli vanne.. " notes. As it turned out, kids had misplaced maveli's crown, and maveli decided to not show up instead of showing up without the crown. 

I had turned up at Jacob's house for a group song practice yesterday. Bobby and Jacob had their laptop open, and were in a serious discussion against an excel sheet. They were not contemplating an investment decision, or doing office work. They were meticulously setting up rules and plans for the various game events that was to come next. 

Alvin was gently controlling the music and sound system of the day, hiding behind his studious looking glasses. Gafoor had blended so much into the conducting of the event from the initial setup ,to the game coordination, to the final cleanup that you would almost overlook him. 

Children had their own game events, grandparents had their own game events.

Between compering, and conducting the games, Jacob and Bobby were putting in a lot of effort. Adarsh and Aneesh as the captains were in leadership mode - motivating own team, and challenging the opposite team. "People will say, we are playing for fun and all. Don't listen to all that - we are playing to win. We have to win the tug-of-war. That is where the maximum points is." 

We started losing a game, then one more, and so on. Adarsh displayed exceptional performance in the sack race, losing out to technicalities as his final jump was a little too good, and he ended up being in the air longer, thus giving his opponent the chance to have had touched the ground first. That performance embodied the spirit. 

Divya called me to her side. Kittu was in top three at childrens' musical chair, and Alvin's music started, Unfortunately, he missed the turn this time, to end up in third place.  

While all this was going on, Koshy was in seventh heaven with his starbucks. If happiness was credit score, he was at 850 all through the day. He was at 850 while we were singing the group song, he was at 850 when his munde came off, he was at 850 when talking about how a truck rammed his car. I reflected on how much stress I had let in for a scratch line on my car a few years back.

Niya wanted me to drop her off. When I came back, it was tug of war time. And sure enough just as Adarsh had predicted, we won the tug of war events for both men and women, and won the overall trophy.  

Then came prize distribution, vote of thanks, photo sessions, ground and hall cleanup, table and chairs returns, all in all - a very eventful and fun filled Onam celebration!