The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : ‘Onavillu’

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Monday, Aug 18, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

‘Onavillu’ — a bow for the deity

T. Nandakumar

The art and craft of making the Onavillu is the sole preserve of the Vilayil Veedu family.

Photo: C. Ratheesh kumar

Family preserve: Craftsmen give final touches to the ‘Onavillu,’ which is offered to the deity of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram every year as a ritual. —

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vilayil Veedu at Karamana here wears a festive look these days. In fact, it is the busiest time of the year for the household comprising traditional craftsmen.

The male members of the family are seated before a lighted lamp, giving finishing touches to the ‘Onavillu’, a ceremonial bow that is offered to the deity at Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple here as part of the annual rituals during the Onam festival season.

Various colourful models of the bow are under preparation in a room converted into a work shed. The craftsmen handle the bows with reverence.

Considered a symbol of prosperity, the ceremonial bow is in great demand from devotees who take it home to be carefully preserved.

The art and craft of making the Onavillu is the sole preserve of the traditional artists of the Vilayil Veedu family. The bow is a broad piece of wood, tapering on both sides, on which miniature paintings of the Ananthasayanam, Dasavatharam, Sreerama Pattabhishekam and the Sreekrishnaleela are portrayed.

The consecration of the Onavillu at the temple is an age-old tradition that has continued over the years from the 16th century. The family members observe a 41-day penance prior to commencement of the work.

The ‘villu’ is available in three measures - 4.5, 4 and 3.5 ft long and 6, 5.5 and 4 inches wide.

The wood of Kadambu, maruthu, jack fruit, and aanjili trees are preferred for making the ‘villu.’ The wood is cut to the required dimension before applying the colours. The red tassels used to adorn the ‘villu’ are made by the convicts of the Central Jail at Poojappura here.

The villus are first offered to the family deity at the Valiya Veedu for three days. They are then taken to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Thiru Onam day and displayed at the Natakasala before being offered to the deity.

While the Ananthasayanam version of the villu is consecrated to Lord Padmanabha, the one with the Dasavatharam painting is offered to Lord Narasimha and the ‘villu’ showing the Krishnaleela is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

The one with the painting of Sreerama Pattabhishekam is consecrated to the idol of Sree Rama. The villus are removed on the third day. The temple trust then distributes the ‘Onavillu’ to devotees. Such is the demand for the bow that bookings close months in advance.

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