GEORGE TOWN – Whenever Thaipusam draws near, kavadi-makers in Penang would be working around the clock, sculpting vibrant and eye-catching craftworks for the chariot procession during the auspicious Hindu festival.
The annual celebrations in Penang, and throughout the country, however, have been cancelled for the first time in over a century due to the pandemic.
Kavadi-maker C. Muniswaren, 40, said usually, his friends and regulars commission him to design and craft kavadis at least a month before every Thaipusam, but sadly, not this time around.
“Last month, I did not receive any orders for Thaipusam this year,” he said.
With about 13 years in kavadi-making under his belt, he usually makes between six and eight kavadis every year, and takes between two weeks and one-and-a-half months to craft one, depending on the complexity of the design as requested by his clients.
His craftsmanship has been showcased by kavadi-bearers throughout Penang during the Thaipusam celebration, from Lorong Kulit to Queensbay and even in Seberang Prai.
But with the Thaipusam festival in Penang called off this year, Muniswaren has shifted his focus from kavadi-making to prayers at home.
“I hope that the pandemic will end soon so that everyone can celebrate Thaipusam as usual and I get to show off my kavadis out in the streets once more.”
Another kavadi-maker in Penang sharing a similar fate to Muniswaren is R. Ramesh, who expressed disappointment that he has can’t show off his passion for sculpting this year.
The 51-year-old sculptor said he made at least 10 kavadis for clients last year, with the simplest kavadi design taking him just a day to complete.
“This is the first time in 30 years I have had no clients requesting kavadis.
“However, this (the cancellation of the Thaipusam festival) cannot be helped and we are unable to do anything other than to strictly follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) set in place by the government, so I would think of it as a ‘holiday’ with my family,” he said.
He also prayed that the pandemic situation will improve soon, so that religious and cultural celebrations can be enjoyed once more in the country.
On January 8, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said the state’s famous week-long Thaipusam festivities will not take place this year due to the alarming rise in Covid-19 cases in the state.
Ramasamy, who is also the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman, said that festivities, such as the silver and gold chariot procession, devotees carrying milk pots or kavadis, the breaking of coconuts and mass hair-shaving are banned in an effort to curb Covid-19 transmissions.
He also said that prayers on Thaipusam day at the Nattukottai Chettiar temple and Hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani temple will only be attended by priests and committee members.
Devotees will not be allowed to enter the temple and he urged them to do their prayers at home. – Bernama, January 18, 2021
