Pushpanjali - AN INSIGHT INTO PUSHPANJALI
Several communities of flower weavers from Coimbatore, Sreeerangam and srivilliputhur congregated at the venue and wove an incredible variety of flower garlands, flower jewellery, flower mats & decorative wall hangings. It was a show that not only brought out the talents of the participants but also invoked a spiritual aura around all those who visited the exhibition.
Plenty of flowers were used in the decorations and they ranged from the commonly used Vadamalli, Malli Poovu (Jasmine), Marigolds, Lotus, Tuberoses to the more exotic Orchids, Carnations, Gerberas, Button Chrysanthemums, spray Chrysanthemums. Green foliage was used in abundance and highlighted the myriad hues and tints of the flowers.
All the participants used traditional skills to weave modern designs & patterns. The innovative use of flowers and leaves, unusual techniques and colour combinations, the deft, economical & almost mesmerizing movement of fingers of the flower weavers transported the spectators to an almost trance like state.
Some of the garlands looked like they were pearl encrusted ropes of rubies, while others showed delicate tints of the dawn with shades of light pink & wisps of white. A sunburst of colours erupted in arrangements the liberally used yellow, Orange and saffron coloured flowers and they seemed befitting for the most royal of offerings. There was also a stunning display of jewellery fashioned out of flowers. One display had an odiyanam (Girdle), ear rings, necklaces, bracelets & of course the beautiful jadai or to adorn a bride's tresses.
It was as if devotion brought out the best in the flower weavers as they spun their magic and made garlands for their gods and goddesses. Idols of ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, lakshmi were resplendent in their floral finery and even the parrots that perched on the shoulders of Aandal and Madurai meenakshi was made out of fresh green leaves and flowers. Lamp bases were decorated with garlands and the perfume of Jasmine and Marigolds lent a magical fragrance to the air. the whole environment became festive, magical, joyous and spiritual at once.
The Flower Weavers of Nagercoil
The flower weavers from Nagercoil brought with them an incredible work of art - a prayer mat that looked like it was made out of reeds rather than delicate flowers and leaves. Prominent amongst the weavers were Shri Muthu Perumal and his wife who had come all the way from Nagercovil to demonstrate their art. They come from a family of flower weavers and the art has been handed down to Muthu Perumal from his father and grandfather. He in turn has passed this legacy to his daughters and son-in-law. he recounts tales how his grandfather lived in the temples weaving flowers for the Gods in exchange for food. They had royal patronage from the Kings who had built the temples. The Kings granted the weavers land which was in turn used to cultivate flowers for temple worship.
With the disappearance of royal traditions and partonage, this art of leisure and love also lost its importance. However, for Muthu Perumal and his brethren, their art and worship come before everything else. Even today, they dop everything else if the temple function demands that they weave flowers for it. Twice a year, in the months on Panguni & Aipashi they weave countless number of garlands to adorn the lord, His temple, His chariot, His robes and His entourage. The rest of the year they make their livelihood by weaving flowers for marriages, pujas & other minor functions.
Keeping with the times, they have graduated into creating computer graphics of the patterns they weave. "The permutations & combinations are infinite ", explains Muthu perumal as he deftly takes four strands of the Samba naaru joint on one side to embark on his labhour of love. he picks upa nochi ellai folds it over once, twice & once again so that no rough edges are visible & he holds it with his middle finger to the Naaru & brings two of the strands around it cross wise.he then folds over the leaf in a loop & futher strengthens it by bringing the other two strands of Naaru around it. He proceeds with the petal of the Arali poovu and does the same - making plait with the leaves & flower petals are alternately folded over the Naaru. The pattern grows this way till long stripes of braided flowers are formed. These are then put together to make a garland, a mat or something else.
Pushpanjali was indeed a fulfilling experience especially because it enabled the Craft council of tamil Nadu to bring to light the lost art of flower arrangements through the talents of people like Muthu Perumal. In sense, this event is a dedication to devotes like him and offering to Gods, beseeching them to give us, the modern world, time to stop by and marvel at the beautiful creations of flowers they have made.
The members of the Crafts Council of Tamilnadu organised a display of extraordinary talent the State's pookararkal (florists) at Velumani Ammal Hall, Coimbatore on the 29th and 30th of September 2005.
