Potpourri (Part 4 of 11)

(This is the fourth instalment of the series on organising a Kola. For the earlier parts, click the links at the bottom of the page.)

Ah, the colours!
The mantap done, our shoulders feel slightly light. As the evening arrives, so does one set of artists' helpers. Their job is to prepare various articles required for the ceremony, mainly from parts of various trees and shrubs. As you would have noticed by now, almost every part of the coconut tree is made use of, either in the preparation or for the event per se, from tender coconuts to coconuts to tender fronds to dry fronds. No wonder it is referred to as kalpavraksha. Their children accompany them, and watch them at work. This is how the art is handed down from one generation to the next.
Busy with carving the fronds!
The head-dress of the artist who is to invoke Panjurli is referred to as Ani in Tulu. It basically is a semicircular item, made of tender fronds (siri) neatly woven together. It has to be trimmed and designed into a specific shape before weaving. One person starts doing this, and we watch his nimble fingers at work, fascinated. The creativity involved is wonderful. How many such rustic arts are disappearing slowly, we wonder.
Before we realise, dusk has fallen, and the sky behind the house over the fields has turned into a beautiful canvas, layered with hues of angry orange. But the men are still working. Finally they finish, including adding a few final touches to the mantap. The main artists have arrived too and will begin their make-up soon. That's the only thing left for the ceremony to start, and it's really interesting to watch.
Still working!
The final outcome: Ani
Mantap

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Comments

  1. am enjoying the beautiful journey :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Archie, please continue the journey till the last destination! :)

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  2. nice shots,beautiful presentation. enjoyed reading.thanks for sharing.

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  3. Wow! From the first pic to the last pic, I had no idea how this was going to transform. Superb!

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