The larger-sized palm fans were locally known as panai olai visiri hold significant historical and cultural relevance in the Madurai Chithirai Thiruvizha, a grand annual festival celebrated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This event, famous for its vibrant cultural displays, is deeply tied to the history, traditions, and everyday life of the local community.
Palm-leaf fans are crafted by hand, primarily by rural artisans, using leaves from the palmyra tree its a tree of great cultural and economic importance in Tamil Nadu. The use of these fans reflects the community’s sustainable practices and the traditional crafts of the region.In historical times, large fans were used in temples and royal courts to signify status and provide comfort to deities, kings, and guests. In the Chithirai Thiruvizha, they are often used during processions, symbolizing honor and reverence for the deities, particularly Lord Kallazhagar and Goddess Meenakshi. Here in this college we could see the pictures of palam fans used in the procession and there is a sculptural reference of women holding this palm fan shown in meenakshi amman temple's puthu mandabam which was constructed in 17 th century by thirumalai nayakar from this we could understand this intact tradition has been passed on generation to generation.
Another familiar sight awaits the devotees attending the chitirai festival . They will likely get to see the famous ‘Visiri’ (fan) thatha, as 92-year-old Natarajan has come to be called. He passed away in 2023 till now he is remerbed by the madurai people for his devotion. The moniker comes from the large peacock-feathered fan Natarajan carries to the festival every year. He uses his fan to help offer some relief to the throngs from the heat.
During the festival, idols of the presiding deities, Lord Kallazhagar (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Goddess Meenakshi and sundareswarar , are carried in grand processions. Large palm fans are waved near the idols as a mark of respect and to provide symbolic "cooling" to the divine entities under the hot sun. The usage of these fans is seen as a humble offering to the divine, signifying devotion and service.
Traditionally, palm fans have been used in Tamil Nadu for comfort during the hot summer months. In a festival like Chithirai Thiruvizha, which occurs in April or May (the peak summer season), larger fans were indispensable for keeping devotees cool amidst the crowded, open-air celebrations. Many devotees and organizations continue to distribute palm fans during the festival as a gesture of goodwill and to keep the connection to traditional practices alive.The Chithirai Thiruvizha, thus, is not only a celebration of divine legends and rituals but also a showcase of traditional crafts like palm-leaf fan-making, blending practical utility with cultural heritage.
-- Ramu Rm.N
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