Ayyappan Vilakku Mandir !

This posting I prepared in last December some how I missed to post.

This photograph is of the Ayyappan Vilakku temple.

The temples are miniature replicas Shabari Mala temple made of 'Trunk of Banana tree' and tender co-conut leaves. Nothing else. It is a marvelous piece indeed. Look at the PathinettamPadi ( Eighteen steps that leads to Sanctum sanctorum. ) How beautiful they do this.. After several years I had an opportunity to see an Ayyappan Vilakku at my native place and I understood it has developed leaps and bounds! The photograph is from that.

Now read on..

Ayyappan Vilakku is a small ritual or festival conducted during the Mandala Kaalam ( 41 days in November-December of every year ). It is related to diety ( Lord Ayyappan) in Shabari Mala. The ceremony or vilakku ( literally Vilakku means Lamp) is celebrated in different proportions. Meaning there are Full Vilakku - which goes on to 2 days to ¼ Vilakku which end in half a day. These Vilakks are popular in Malabar. Wherever people from Malabar ( northern Keralites) reside they try to celebrate this Vilakku there So you may see a Vilakku in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore etc. – This is funny because Ayyappa temple is in south of Kerala and you do not see anything like this there. The reason may be that in olden days it was not possible for every one from Malabar to go ShabariMala. So they must have celebrated in their own way. The artists - all come from Palghat district. That is also strange.

The ceremony includes creation of three temple replica ( Main temple , Bhagavathy temple and Vavar temple ( a Mosque – Vavar considered to be brother Ayyappa and is a Muslim! Son of Lord Shiva !!!) North Indians would laugh at this concoction of mythology and history. However generally secular Hindus of Kerala do not have any qualm in going around a Mosque or putting some money in a Mosque!. Sarvam Khalidam Bhrahmam! ( Everything is HIM !)

Coming back to Vilakku.. There are 3 dancers ( Oracles) for the ceremony – Ayyappa himself in Black Shawl ( Uttareeyam) attire, Bhagavathy in Red and Vavar of course in Green Shawl (or sometimes white). Several drummers!.The steps are very unique and each hold a sword of different kind that suits the character. The swift movement of sword along with the drum beat and Thiri uzhichil ( typical dance with a fire torch to torture the body) are worth seeing. Late night there will be song with Thudikottu (typical shiva drum ( thudi ) is used for this ). And the songs are about the Ayyappa’s history – but these songs are also knows as Poli ppaattu – ( Poli here means donation and Pattu means song - so it is Donation song ! )

Polippattu is really funny as it is instantly crafted by the singer. They look at the person who donates and create a line that is suitable for him or her. It is a continuous process intermingled with the song of the history.. They never stop singing .. So people are very attentive because they want to hear what the singer makes out about a person. Suppose a person with slight cock-eye donates – then they will sing that “ even if your eye is a little bit bend on one side God will bless you if you donate !” The joke is that some people will think that they are perfect and have no visible deformity or characteristic to note But the singer identifies his specialty and will sing to the much amazement of public and the person himself. For example if he is a youth the Singer would have already noticed him looking at a girl or two. So the song will be about that ‘Manokaamana’ ( whats in his mind ) may come true with the blessing of God provided he donates ! The program ends with fireworks! Because it is in Kerala and If you can add as many elephants for this that much grand it can be! J

Onth ! - the Garden Lizard

I am fascinated by the Garden Lizard !
Recently I caught one in camera. But when I reached near it showed its fury by changing its color of the head to RED ! – Ummm.. you will drink my blood eh ! I asked .. after some time he understood that I am not going to hurt it and I am only a friend – an amateur photographer shooting with a stupid Kodak digital camera! .. Slowly I was noticing its changed color … and did he smile too ??

Now Read on...
We have 2 common kinds in Kerala – One we call in Malyaalam ‘Arana’ ( sharp mouthed garden Lizard) 2nd one “Onth” ( common Oriental garden Lizard ). Let me use Malayaalam names here they are pretty easy.
A bigger Arana will be mistaken for a snake. Arana Katichaal Utane Maranam is a saying in Malayalam – meaning If bitten by Arana death is sure ! – But in my whole life - more than 50 years - I have never come across anyone who is bitten by an Arana. It is the poorest of the poor creature on the face of the earth. Poorer than the cousin Onth !
But the ONTH is more fascinating as it has more action display features and tantrums. Poor fellow ! because of this it attracts more attention.

Some people call it chameleon for it changes color. This fellow is perhaps a distant relative of the original chameleon you see in Nat Geo. I used to observe this guy from childhood. It is a miniature dinosaur. It turns it's head and looks at people - nods - changes color - runs faster hides faster - makes sound and as I noticed perhaps smiles !. It is indeed a fascinating creature. There are several types and as a Tropical Rain country we have abundant of them.

During my childhood we had heard that this Onth drinks blood by looking at us Especially if we show our belly button. So we raised our trousers hurriedly whenever we saw an Onth. In those days we roamed outside with only a half trouser. Shirts were out of norms those days!. This Onth always nodded when it saw us or perhaps it was nodding for some other reason– may be it saw its partner somewhere near. But I remember we did not hurt it in anyway. For that matter we did not hurt any creature except for small dragon flies ! ( There are no traditional Mallus who have not used dragon flies to lift stones ! - Thumbiye kondu kalleduppikkuka ! is the saying - meaning use the dragon fly to lift stone ! - real meaning: use some innocent dumb person to serve your purpose !)

But when we grew up in a railway colony in a near by town we saw many children mercilessly killing it. They used to catch it by fishing hook tied with a small plastic rope. When the Onth nods they will put the knot on its head and pull !. With in second the Onth is in their custody. Then they used to put a milk taken from a fencing plant ( plant known as ‘Kampi Pala’ in Malayalam ) When this milk is poured on its head the poor chap will become mad – will loose control of itself and will run helter-skelter and soon will die or some birds will pick it up. These children will clap and laugh. We could not understand why they are doing it – luckily we did not take part in the merry-making.

Years later when I visited my Uncle’s place in Bangalore I saw similar incidents.
My Aunt has a good garden in front of their house and many Onth’s visit the garden. Many children who passes their house especially after Friday Prayers catch and kill these Lizards. My Aunt used to become furious at them. I can only hope and pray that whatever is the reason for their killing this wanton act should be stopped and the elders in Mosque and the teachers in Madrasas should advice these kids to abstain from such acts.

Hey ! I am not accusing any religion here. I just love animals. They are our fellow beings. Our living space may be reducing but theirs is rapidly reducing at an alarming rate ! I am really concerned. Are n't you ?