Seasonal crafts Onavillu and Poovatti

Onavillu and Poovatti are the two seasonal crafts, which were once commonly seen in Kerala during the festival season of Onam. Traditionally, the members from the carpenter community are involved in making these crafts.  The family of Thekkepurakkal Kuttiatha and his wife Sreemathi residing at Kotturu near Kottakkal in Malappuram district is one among the few families who still continues the tradition of making Onavillu and Poovatti.

The Onam festival

According to legend, the festival of Onam commemorates the visit of King Mahabali or Maveli, a generous and virtuous ruler of Kerala in ancient times. But as the king belonged to Asura clan (demon), Lord Vishnu took the incarnation as Vamana (a dwarf) and expelled him from the power by utilizing the quality of the King as a generous donor. Pleased by his benevolence, Vamana blessed Mahabali and granted permission to visit his dear citizens once in a year. This occasion is celebrated as Onam in Kerala and falls in the month of Chingom in Malayalam Calendar (local calendar), which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.  The people of Kerala celebrate Onam with much happiness and enjoyment.

Onavillu, the musical instrument 

 Villukottu, playing the bow-like musical instrument Villu was one among the many traditional entertainments commonly practiced by the people of Kerala, during Onam festival.  In due course of time, many such entertainments and local games have vanished or are limited to a few communities or families.

 Villu, also known as Ona Villu is made from the pith of Palmyra or Arecanut stem with bamboo slivers as bowstring. The sound is produced by striking the string with a thin stick. Thekkepurakkal Kuttiatha and his son Madhu both are experts in making and playing this instrument. According to Kuttiatha, the custom of gifting Onavillu to the members of the feudal families during Onam was observed until the recent past. All the family members of Kuttiatha including his brothers and their families will join together at Kuttiatha'a home to celebrate Onam with Villukottu. The performers hold the Villu in a particular manner so as to press the stem of the bow on the bare chest. The fine music is produced only when we use it in that manner, says Madhu. Each time after playing, they keep the string apart from the bow in order to get the proper tension.

Poovatti , the flower basket

Poovatti also called Pookooda is a small flower basket, usually made of Palmyra leaves particularly used for collecting fresh flowers. One of the rituals observed during Onam festival is preparing flower mats for ten days in front of the courtyard of all households. The belief is that King Mahabali visits the homes during these days.

There was a time when children used to go to the countryside with a Poovatti hanging on their neck to collect various local flowers, especially from the seasonal plants. By tradition, these Poovati-s are crafted by the lady members from the traditional carpenter community and there was a custom of gifting these flower baskets to the aristocratic homes. But the lifestyle has changed, the flowers are now purchased from the market and children have no time to spend their time for local entertainments. So the numbers of such ladies who have the skill of crafting baskets have considerably reduced.

 But Sreemathi, Kuttiatha's wife is an expert in making flower baskets and she still makes some flower baskets to carry forward the tradition.  Instead of Palmyra leaves, Poovatti can be made using leaves of coconut palm or screw pine.  She also makes mats for sitting or sleeping (locally called Paya) using the same material. 

 Thekkepurakkal family celebrates Onam with great enthusiasm  by observing many of the traditional customs and rituals- Villukottu, making of Poovati, preparing flower decorations on the floor, installing Thrikkakarayappan and much more.

Location/access: 

The family lives near Mundyanthara temple, about 3km from Kottakkal on Kovilakom road, in Malappuram district, Kerala.

To contact Kuttiatha/Madhu, 

Ph: 0483- 2741366, Mob: 8547893394