KUWAIT: Several Malayali families in Kuwait celebrated Vishu, a Kerala festival, in traditional excitement with a hint of nostalgia for home. The vegetable and grocery markets in Indian neighborhoods in Kuwait witnessed a heavy rush on Thursday and yesterday morning as Malayalis geared up to celebrate Vishu. The festival marks the Malayalam New Year - the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May) - and as such is the most important day for Malayalis regardless of their religion or sect.

For us, Vishu is an auspicious day. We always celebrate the festival in its real spirit whether we are in Kuwait or India," said Shemejkumar, an engineer who lives with his family in Fahaheel.

Families usually present offerings of articles such as rice, linens, cucumbers, betel leaves, 'matal mirrors' and coins into a bell metal vessel called an 'uruli' to the divine spirit 'Vishukani.' A lighted bell metal lamp, called a 'nilavilakku,' is also placed alongside it and the arrangement is completed by the woman of the house on the eve of the Vishu.

On the day of Vishu, it is customary to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with eyes closed so that the first thing a person sees is the 'Vishukani.' In earlier days, this 'Vishukani' is distributed among the poor. Also on the day of Vishu, people wear their traditional Malayali clothes and family elders distribute tokens of money to youngsters.

I used to receive 'Vishukaineettam' from my grandmother. She is no more now but it is a cherished moment," said Malathy Nair, a housewife living in Salmiya. The tokens are usually in the form of coins and people carry out the custom believing that their children will be blessed with prosperity in the future.

Many families prepare traditional dishes using jackfruits, mangos, pumpkins and gourds. To mark Vishu traditionally, people prepare 'moru koottan;' a savory stew made with yogurt, payassam (kheer), Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation of neem) and 'mampazhapachadi' (a sour mango soup).

I miss the spirit of Vishu celebrations because my family is back home," said Praveen, a bachelor living in Abbassiya. "But I will visit my friends and have a sumptuous Vishu feast," he added. - Kuwait Times