Pathanamthitta (Keralam) | Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday said tradition and modernity were not opposing forces and could go hand in hand.
He was addressing a gathering at the Uthrattathi boat race, organised as part of the Onam celebrations, on the banks of the Pamba river at Aranmula.
He said the festival demonstrated the extraordinary power of traditions to bring people together and strengthen social bonds.
“I was told that Keralites working abroad also return during this festival to support and encourage it. That is the greatness of our tradition and our faith in the roots of our culture,” he said.
“Tradition and modernity are not opposing forces. They can go hand in hand, as our Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly says: ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’ (Progress along with Heritage),” Radhakrishnan said.
He said India's rich traditions were reflected in festivals celebrated across the country, citing Onam in Keralam, the Rath Yatra in Puri and the Kanwar Yatra during the Sawan month in northern India.
“These traditions and our Onam always go together. We may differ geographically and speak different languages, but our culture keeps us united. In my view, our diversity is the greatest strength of Bharat,” he said.
“Diversity is not a source of division; rather, it is a source of strength. It is our unity in diversity that makes Bharat truly unique and resilient,” he added.
Radhakrishnan said Aranmula held a prominent place on the cultural and tourism map while preserving its authenticity and spiritual character.
“Such traditions are a precious inheritance that we must protect for the future. I am confident that the youngsters showing so much interest in our heritage will preserve this great tradition forever,” he said.
He described the Aranmula Uthrattathi boat race as a glorious symbol of Keralam's rich cultural heritage, devotion and timeless traditions.
“That is the reason no other state in this country is called 'God's Own Country.' There is only one state in the whole nation that is God's own country—that is Keralam, and we are all proud of it,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said Aranmula occupied a unique place globally and was known for its ancient Sri Parthasarathy Temple, believed to have been constructed around 1,800 years ago.
He highlighted the famous Aranmula Kannadi, which has a GI tag and is made of metal rather than glass.
“It is called a mirror (kannadi), but it is not made of glass — it is made of metal. That metal becomes a mirror, and that is the greatness of our Aranmula mirror,” he said.
He said Aranmula's unique place in Keralam's cultural identity underscored the need to protect and promote traditional arts, crafts and knowledge systems.
“During last year's Christmas celebrations at the vice president's residence, I gifted Aranmula Kannadis to all the guests who participated in the festival,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said the sight of the Pamba river filled him with a deep sense of respect, noting its close association with the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
He recalled that when he visited Sabarimala for the first time, he was at the sannidhanam (sanctum) when his name was announced as the candidate for the Coimbatore constituency.
“So Lord Ayyappa blessed me to get elected to the Lok Sabha with a thumping majority in Tamil Nadu, and from there, my journey continued,” he said.
He said the Pamba river was an integral part of the pilgrimage of devotees seeking the blessings of Ayyappa and symbolised faith, purification and spiritual surrender.
“The journey reminds us that a pilgrimage is about more than just reaching a destination; it is an inner journey towards discipline, devotion and self-realisation,” he said.
He said the beautifully adorned Palliyodams (snake boats) on the Pamba marked the celebrations, with more than 100 oarsmen rowing in perfect rhythm.
Radhakrishnan expressed confidence that, with the active participation of the people, the centuries-old festival and its associated traditions would continue to flourish for generations.
“May the sacred waters of the Pamba River continue to carry forward the glorious legacy of Aranmula. May the rhythm of the oars continue to echo the spirit of harmony and togetherness,” he said.
Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Higher Education Minister Roji M John, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey were also present at the event.
