An
interesting aspect of Navratri in the southern states of India, viz. Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is the display of Golu or Kolu
as they are better known. Golu is a
display of dolls in a particular format, especially in the form of steps or padis (in Tamil); usually nine or odd
numbers like seven, or five. The display of dolls carry themes from mythology, like
the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, scenes enacting the romance of Radha and Krishna
or events from the life of lord Krishna as a child, etc.
Amongst
the display the most important and a must have is the display of the Marapachi dolls which is a
pair of a
male and female dolls. This pair is usually made of carved reddish wood and is
sold in different sizes. During the display, they are adorned in colourful
traditional dresses and jewelry. Usually, it is a tradition for mothers to give
a pair of the marapachi dolls to
their daughters during their wedding to begin the displayu of their own Golu at their new homes. Many collect
dolls to form themes from mythical tales and over a period build a beautiful
collection of such dolls. A pot or the kumbham,
is also placed in the arrangement which gets a ritual worship during the nine
days of Navratri. The pot is arranged either at the top most level or at the
bottom, with a coconut or a pomegranate amongst mango leaves. Many scholars
have indicated that the pair marapichi
represent marital harmony and the pot and the selection of the fruits which
remain fresh, indicate fertility.
The
array of the dolls represents a durbar
or the court of Goddess Durga before she leaves to eliminate Mahishasura or the buffalo-demon.
Though
the practice of setting up the Golu
has religious overtones due to the timing and the themes of arrangement, it
seems to have more social relevance than anything else. This is a time when the
women folk get together and help each other in setting the display. Later they
go in groups to visit different Golu’s
put up in the neighborhood. During such visits there is singing of religious
songs and many other activities which focus on the women of the household.
Snacks and certain staple offerings are served to the guests, which again
display the culinary skills of the women folk. This serves as an interesting mingling
of the women where each displays their imaginative skills of arrangement and religious
knowledge. The dolls are then put back safely after the nine days for another
year.
Besides
giving the women folk a source of entertainment and platform to showcase their skills,
another important rationale of such festivals was to give a fillip to the
agricultural economy. Such festivals kept the demand of clay up, even during
non-agricultural seasons like this, as in the olden days such dolls were made
of clay only, unlike today when many other materials are used to make them.
An
interesting social custom, which aligns itself with the religious festivities
and mythical themes.
In
fact, the Japanese have a similar festival, known as Hina matsuri, or the doll
festival. Hina means a doll and matsuri is festival in Japanese. Hina matsuri is a festival which is
celebrated on March 3rd every year to ensure a healthy life for young
girls in the family.
Similar
to the Golu display, in Hina matsuri too dolls are arranged over
different steps, covered with a red cloth. In the topmost layer are kept dolls
depicting the Emperor and Empress of Japan. In the subsequent layers are placed
dolls which represent the men and women in waiting for the royal couple,
followed by musicians, singers, courtiers and other items like arrangement of
furniture, etc.
The
origin of this can be traced to an ancient practice wherein straw dolls were
made and set off in small boats in the river in the belief that the dolls had
taken away with them the evil spirits which would have otherwise affected their
daughters. In due course, it became a royal festival with all the royal
trappings with it to modern times when every household with a girl child
celebrates this festival. Till date, the superstition holds good that the dolls
absorb the evil spirits and thus the dolls are kept back without delay, as any
delay is believed to delay the girls wedding date.
Interestingly,
in Hina matsuri too, the ceremonial
dolls are handed over by mothers to their daughters!
Two
festivals, both celebrated by women folk in similar form, by two different
cultures. An interesting similarity!
Very nice Blog Utkarsh. You have brought out the comparative motifs of two festivals very well.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to know the dates when these two festivals started? Do you think there was any trade contact between Japan and Tamil Nadu so that similarities between two festivals could have developed?
Just curious... apparently Japanses people are great fans of Tamil culture / movies and there is big fan club of Rajnikanth
vidya
Thanks Vidya.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese festival began during the Heian period (794 – 1185) which is supposed to be the last period of the classical Japanese history. However, I am unable to find the dates of the Golu. Will see if I can get it and post it then......