IPOH, Jan 23 — Every 12 months earlier than Thaipusam, a gaggle of males will collect at a store lot in Taman Rishah to make kavadi.
Calling themselves The Kavadi Masters, they maintain month-to-month paying jobs however will take depart for the love of the art.
Their chief J. Lawrance Dev mentioned they’ve a diverse group of makers.
“From financial institution managers to accountants, we even have trainee chargemen with us,” the occasion supervisor mentioned.
The Kavadi Masters member V. Jayajivan, who works as a financial institution supervisor, took depart to work on a ‘kavadi’ at their workshop. — Picture by Farhan Najib
Depending on the quantity of kavadi orders, Lawrance mentioned there can be no less than two masters engaged on every of them.
“This 12 months, we obtained orders for 12 kavadi for Thaipusam,” he informed eNews Malaysia, including that they’ve 40 masters in the group.
As the head of the group, Lawrance is in cost of designing the kavadi.
Starting with a cardboard, Lawrance would sketch the design on it earlier than it’s lower and transferred to a chunk of styrofoam.
“We will then lower the styrofoam utilizing a knife primarily based on the cardboard define and after that course of, we’ll use sandpaper to smoothen it earlier than the colouring begins.”
Once the colouring is finished, the assembling of kavadi would start.
The Kavadi Masters member S. Kumaraguru engaged on a ‘kavadi’ for use for this 12 months’s Thaipusam at their workshop in Taman Rishah, Ipoh. — Picture by Farhan Najib
The phrase kavadi means “burden,” and is carried by worshippers throughout Thaipusam as a ritual providing to hunt divine intercession.
It could be so simple as a pole, however can be so intricate as to be thought of works of art.
According to Lawrance, who discovered the art of making kavadi from a sifu, who himself discovered the art from Tamil Nadu, India, mentioned the most elaborate kavadi made by his group is the chariot kavadi.
“I will likely be pulling the chariot throughout this 12 months’s Thaipusam,” mentioned the 36-year-old father-of-two youngsters.
Asked what has modified in the art of making kavadi over the years, Lawrance mentioned besides for the design, the main change is the use of peacock feathers.
“When the making of kavadi first began, the design usually had a peacock because it symbolises Lord Muruga’s pet. But the newer designs solely have peacock feathers as a substitute of a peacock.”
As the art of making kavadi turns into extra trendy, Lawrance mentioned it now additionally contains lighted ones.
“If a provider needs their kavadi to be lighted, we’ll set up LED lights as soon as the kavadi is assembled.”
On the value of making a kavadi, Lawrance mentioned it will price something between RM3,800 and RM15,000 every.
“This 12 months the costliest kavadi made by me is RM10,000 as the provider ordered a lighted kavadi.”
The Kavadi Masters began taking orders for ‘kavadis’ way back to one 12 months in the past. — Picture by Farhan Najib
If you need to order a kavadi, Lawrance mentioned they might begin taking orders for subsequent 12 months’s Thaipusam after the completion of this 12 months’s celebration.
“Production will begin six months earlier than the celebration correct. You can provide us the kavadi design you want to make or we’ll design in your behalf.”
Lawrance mentioned in addition they have prepared made ones that might be destroyed if there aren’t any consumers.
“This is as a result of there are six celebrations in the Hindu calendar which might be related to Lord Muruga and solely these celebrations will function the carrying of kavadi.”
For additional particulars, go to The Kavadi Masters on their Facebook.
