Olakudai / thazlakudai

கண்பொர விளங்கும்நின் விண்பொரு வியன் #குடை

வெள்ளைக்குடி #நாகனார்  #புறம் 35

வீறுசால் மன்னர் விரிதாம #வெண்கொடையைப்
பாற எறிந்த பரிசயத்தால் – தேறாது
செங்கண்மாக் கோதை சினவெங் களியானை
திங்கள்மேல் நீட்டுந்தன் கை.

#முத்தொள்ளாயிரம் 19

#Olakudai / #thazlakudai which is also known as Palmyra leaf umbrella is one of the most unique craft of south india.This is one of those gems of the past that refuse to be washed away by the tide of time. But luckily a small group of craftsman still exist at pallakad district of kerala.  these umbrellas are still popular across the kerala in various forms. Whether it is the umbrella held by the person dressed up as Mahabali in Onam processions or the umbrella carried by farmers or fishermen, they are present everywhere in the life and culture of Kerala. In #pallakad still they have there traditional way to make them too. The men of the family will make the leg and cane framework. The weaving of the dried palm leaves and other works has to be carried out by the womens. There are around 15 varieties of which five are the most popular and commonly used. The most popular during the summer season is #Ambalakkuda and it is preferred for temple festivals.Vallikuda, thoppikuda, marakkuda, ambalakkuda, and onakkuda are some of the different varieties. Each has a different weight and size. However there is not much difference in the shape.

A women holding Palmyra leaf umbrella from nellaiyapar temple at thirunelveli

In this college we could see the similar style of umbrellas were shown in The #Ajanta Cave complex which is known for the largest surviving collection of Indian wall paintings and The 7-8 th century #pallava murals beautiful goddess parvathi with a crown on her head and an umbrella held over her from Panamalai at #tamilnadu. In the other we could see the continuity of olakudai were made of gold and used in temple processions in this we could see the similar style of golden umbrellas were used in #Trichy #srirangam temple at tamilnadu.

--Ramu.Rm.N