3,000 dhotis bloom into an Onam Pookkalam in Kochi
Kochi: In Kerala, the humble white dhoti known locally as the ‘mundu’ is usually worn, not arranged in a flower carpet.
This Onam, however, nearly 3,000 of them have been made to bloom.
At Kochi’s Forum Mall, Ramraj Cotton has created a spectacular 30-foot-diameter ‘Mundukalam’, transforming the traditional Kerala garment into an enormous pookkalam, the floral carpet that is synonymous with Onam celebrations.
The unusual creation has earned a place in the Asia Book of Records as Asia’s largest pookkalam made using mundus.
Mundus in a variety of colours have been meticulously arranged into an elaborate design, creating a striking visual spectacle that has drawn crowds of visitors to the mall.
The installation brings together two powerful symbols of Malayali culture, the traditional garment worn by generations of Keralites and the colourful floral carpets laid outside homes during Onam.
The idea also gives a contemporary twist to one of Kerala’s oldest festive traditions.
Every year, as Onam approaches, homes across Kerala begin preparing pookkalams with flowers gathered from gardens, markets and surrounding countryside.
The floral designs grow larger and more elaborate as the festival progresses, symbolising prosperity, togetherness and the joyous welcome extended to Mahabali, the legendary king whose annual return is celebrated during Onam.
The Mundukalam takes that familiar tradition and replaces petals with fabric, turning thousands of pieces of clothing into a giant canvas of colour and pattern.
For Ramraj Cotton, the initiative is also a celebration of the dhoti itself, a garment that, despite the changing fashions of modern India, remains deeply woven into Kerala’s cultural identity.
Known as the mundu in Kerala, the simple, elegant garment continues to be an essential part of festive and ceremonial wear.
This Onam, however, the mundu has acquired a new role.
Three thousand dhotis have come together not to be worn, but to bloom creating a pookkalam unlike any Kerala has seen before.