Vadakara: The popular folk character of onapottan, whose guise several take on during Onam celebrations, has also pitched in for raising funds for flood relief mission here.
Traditionally, the decked-up dumb (pottan) character visits houses, especially in north Kerala, during the Uthradam and Thiruvonam days of the 10-day Onam festivities. It is believed onapottan, whose role is enacted by Theyyam artistes, brings prosperity to the house. People offer rice and cash to him.
Sajith, son of Theyyam artiste Kanara Panikkar of Aroor, contributed his entire collection raised from his onapottan performance to flood relief. At Keezhariyoor, onapottans donated half of their collection to flood relief.
DYFI activists in Maniyoor handed over their onapottan collection to the tehsildar.
In Kuttyadi, K S Rajesh Kannancode, who had been playing onapottan for several years, joined the fundraising campaign of Narikkottumchal Parakkal fraternity, of which he is the secretary too. Money was collected from every house and shop in the area. The entire money will go to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The 24-member fraternity abandoned Onam celebrations and focused on the relief support. They had delivered food to a relief camp in Wayanad the other day.
Ex-panchayat member and Congress activist A T Dasan turned onapottan on the first Onam day and donated his collection from houses at Kallumpuram, Aroor, to flood relief. The money was handed over to panchayat member K. Sajeevan.
