Onam Pookkalam with a spread of anti-war message

This Onam, amid the riot of colours and festive cheer, a floral carpet at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) invited visitors to pause, reflect, and remember.

The first-prize winning Pookkalam took its inspiration not from myth or folklore but from Pablo Picasso’s legendary anti-war painting Guernica, created in 1937 in the shadow of the Spanish Civil War.

In a world scarred by conflict — stretching from Gaza and Ukraine to Myanmar, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Congo — the KFRI’s Pookkalam transformed Picasso’s monochrome cries of anguish into a colourful floral interpretation. It was more than just artistry, it was a plea.

Every petal carried layers of meaning. The transformation of Guernica from stark black and white to vibrant hues reflected the hope for life, peace, and prosperity that Onam celebrates.

At the same time, it served as a reminder that the joy of festivals should not blind us to the brutal realities unfolding across the globe. Visitors received pamphlets carrying anti-war message, reinforcing the theme.

The judges, moved by both the creativity and conviction behind the work, awarded the Pookkalam the first prize. “It was a floral protest, but also a floral promise — that conservation, peace, and remembrance are inseparable,” said T.V. Sajeev, Chief Scientist of the KFRI.

By weaving one of history’s most searing anti-war statements into the heart of Kerala’s most beloved festival, the KFRI team reminded everyone that even in celebration, there is space and perhaps a responsibility to remember the world’s pain.