Vishu Kai Neetam! Poem by Geetha Jayakumar

Note..
This is my first challenge! ! !

I came upon the poem Vishu Kai Neetam (my first Malayalam poem) . It strike my mind as it 14 th April is new year celebrated in Kerala.

The translation of this poem though is difficult. As some malayam words cannot be traslated. Still I will try. Vishu means a festival in Kerala celebrated as new year on 14 th April. Early morning before sunrise people first see lighted lamp, see their face in mirror, many grains, a special yellow flower bloom in this particular season called kani konna poov, new cloth, jackfruit, different fruits,9 different types of grains and vegetables also. Its like whatever we see, the whole year we will be blessed with good things. Vishu kai neetam means elder members place some money in bettle leaves along with whole bettle nuts and they give as blessings to younger ones. So children wait for this vishu kai neetam which comes after a year only. They wait for new dresses. Feast is prepared.I mentioned jackfruit payasam mean jackfruit sweet dish. I also mentioned its like a remembrance of the past where we as children used to wait for vishu kaineetam means some money elders used to give you give younger ones. Kani means seeing the whole of things...some gold coins, rupees, coins, are kept for the first sight. Elders take youngers by keeping their eyes closed and open their first to see vishu kani. After seeing this kani on first early morning on this auspicious day, its a custom they believe whole year will be filled with such blessings.