Shyam Nair will celebrate Vishu with his family

Vishu

, the first day of the Malayalam calendar, marks the

new year

in Kerala. It’s the most important day in a Keralite’s life, and it starts with early morning prayers. The mother of the family arranges the Visukkani (it consists of flowers, fruits, rice, mirror, gold ornaments, new clothes and lots more), and family members are supposed to view these things first after getting up. The Ramayana is recited during the puja (konna flowers is must), and a special feast called sadya is a major attraction. For actor Shyam Nair, celebrating the new year with his grandmother is the most favourite part. “We go to her house in Bapunagar for a get-together. Avial is my favourite, along with sharkara varatti (a sweeter version of banana chips),” says Nair.