Chennai: They claim hereditary rights in making the colourful and elegant umbrellas kudaigal to dazzle at the Garuda Seva ceremony during the annual brahmotsavam of the world renowned hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirupati.
But, only about ten to twelve families of artisans based at Chintadripet here are involved in making the umbrellas and have been keeping alive the tradition as the youngsters are no longer attracted to it.
The hand-made umbrellas — excellent pieces of art, are made ahead of the auspicious Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October). This time 13 umbrellas of varying sizes will be sent to Tirupati in a grand procession. The handle, ranging from 7 to 12 feet is made of teak wood, the collapsible parts with cane and the silk-lace work lends charm to the umbrella cover.
“It will take two days to make a small umbrella of seven feet high. Usually, we begin the work after getting orders,” says Kumar, a hereditary artisan. “Only about ten persons are involved in making the umbrellas – a tradition passed down to us by our grandfathers,” he adds. These umbrellas are not made by anyone outside their families, Kumar claims.
The cost of a small umbrella of 3.5 feet is Rs 3,500 while the price of the bigger one would range anywhere between '30,000 and '35,000. The umbrellas made this time of the year are invariably meant for the garudotsavam, which falls on the fifth day of the brahmotsavam beginning from September 26 in Tirupati. Two of them are offered to Goddess Padmavathy.
Umbrellas are also being made for the Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple at Triplicane. During the Tamil month of Aadi, colourful umbrellas are made for festive occasions at Amman temples in the state. “We get orders from Singapore during Aadi,” Kumar says.
