The Navaratri Kolu, a religious tradition of hosting Kolu bommais among Tamils during Navaratri celebrations has a now a new celebrity entrant adoring the Kolu padi in the households, this season.
The new entrant is none other than the iconic figurine of J.Jayalalithaa, the erstwhile Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, which is the most sought after idol, this season of Navaratri.
The Jayalalithaa figurine clad in her trade mark green saree is in great demand all over the city with Kolu organisers vying with each other to adorn their kolu stand with her figurines.
“Actually there is a great demand for Jayalalithaa figurine from families who showcase Kolu in their households for the bust of late leader clad in her iconic green saree. Indeed, we are not able to match the huge demand. It shows that Jayalalithaa, the iron lady that she was, who had died in duress in December last, has captured the imagination of the people of Tamilnadu in a great way", opined a idol vendor in RS Puram.
"The iconic lady, a role model for many women, who had outshone many in the male-dominated domain of Tamilnadu politics is revered to this day. As a result she has entered the Kolu tradition more as a good omen", said a an woman in RS Puram who has added the late leaders idol to her Kolu Padi, this year.
"She is considered as a guardian angel of Tamil women and their aspirations and it is no surprise she is elevated to the status of demi goddess by this gesture of adding her figurine to Navratri kolu. The traditional families would not dare add anyone except Jayalalitha in this fashion. May be they are seeking the blessings of her too", said another Kolu Vendor in Townhall.
“While Jayalalithaa figurines command a price of Rs.250 to Rs.1,200 as per the size variations, the common factor is that most of the households want the “iron lady” in their repertoire of Kolu bommais”, said a shop keeper selling Kolu idols and figurines in Gandhipuram.
Poompuhar show rooms, run by Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development Corporation have also stocked the Jayalalithaa figurines in the good numbers. “Yes, adding Jayalalithaa figurine to the Kolu is trending in households which traditionally host Kolus during Navaratri festivals" said a sales man in the showroom.
Bommai Kolu means divine presence and mostly Gods and Goddesses and depictions from Puranas, court life, royal procession, ratha yatra, weddings, are put up in Kolu arrangements. And the Kolu commences in households following Ganapathi puja on the first day of Navaratri initiated by family elders.
The Kolu is dismantled and packed on the evening of Vijayadasami day, for the next year, after propitiating the Gods and Goddesses and seeking the blessings of Goddesses Saraswati, Parvati, and Lakshmi, of the Hindu Pantheon.