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Celebrating Shakti’s victory with Kolu
The nine-day festival observed as Navarathri — a long standing tradition of South India — is the only festival that marks the celebration of women empowerment, depicting the spiritual progression of human beings through various steps
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Symbolising the battle between the good and the evil and the triumph of the former over the latter, Purattasi Navarathri or Sharadha Navarathri showcases the nineday battle of Shakti with Mahishasura.
The 10th day or Vijayadasami is marked with the victory of the goddess over the demon.
Writer-historian Padmapriya Bhaskaran, spoke about the uniqueness of the festival, which is entirely dedicated to celebrating the goddess in women and their empowerment. “Irrespective of the age, all women are celebrated and worshipped.
It is marked with social message and brings in immense positive energy with people coming and signing devotional songs at every house.
The stress is on positive energy because it is believed that after Mahalayapaksham, Yama is in his full strength and lot of disasters happen in the later months of the year.
Starting with Navarathri, other festivals are lined up, making one spend more time on generating positivity through worship,” she said.
Padmapriya pointed out to the display of the kolu follows a pattern. At the bottom-most step are human dolls, including the Chettiar couple that symbolises trade and commerce, and other humanly activities. From humans, the display moves to the saints and then the gods and goddesses at the top. She said, “The othai padi or the single steps stands for the gradual progression in spirituality. In the centre of the display is the Kalasam that symbolises one’s devotion which is the fulcrum.
The concept of the return gifts or the vethalai paaku is to acknowledge the goddess in the other woman.” Kolu is a concept that doesn’t exist out of South India, said historian V Sriram, who points out to its genesis. “Golu in Telugu or Kolu in Tamil means the king or the queen being in the court (Kolu Veetriruthal), welcoming the gods and goddesses as royals, followed by the retinue of followers,” he said. Sriram observes that in original practice, there were no human dolls on display and they were display only in the form of Marapachi dolls. “Though there is little documentation, one can believe that it has been around for many centuries. The tradition of carrying the Saraswathi idol from Padmanabhapuram to Trivandrum has been carried out for hundreds of years during Navarathri,” he added.
But, while they note that a particular group of Hindus displayed kolu, today the trend has changed to anyone interested following the practice. Known also as Bombe Habba or Bomma Koluvu, the festival, the historians observe, has become more contemporary and evolved to become exclusive and customised by every household practicing it. “Today, they put everybody on display,” Sriram said.
Pressed for time, people send invites via WhatsApp
A few decades ago, guests would be invited formally and at their doorsteps. Either the youngest girl in the house or the matriarch would arrive all dressed up, carrying a kumkum dabba, inviting the guest with: “Enga veetula kolu vechirukkon, vethalapakku vaangika vanga (We have arranged kolu in our house, please visit us to take the vethalai paaku.” That, however, is not the case anymore. WhatsApp and e-invites have taken over warm house visits. Sreemathy Mohan, a heritage enthusiast from Choolaimedu, said, “I have received more than a dozen invites over WhatsApp this season.” Upasana Shree, a professional who lives in Pallikaranai. “I live in a gated community with over 400 houses. As a working woman it is impossible for me to invite all of them personally. So I send them invites via WhatsApp,” she said.
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