Why Aadi Perukku matters in today's climate crisis
Tamil historian and Kolam researcher Meenakshi Devaraj discusses the significance of the Aadi Perukku festival. She emphasises the importance of honouring this festival in the context of global climate change
Meenakshi Devaraj and her Kolam that signifies a woman celebrating Aadi Perukku
CHENNAI: Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the 18th day of Aadi month honouring water's vital role in life and agriculture. The festival involves prayers, offerings, and festivities in the regions surrounding the Kaveri River. Although Aadi Perukku is still practised today, the once-gushing waters described in literary works are now missing. This festival deserves to be celebrated with the same significance as Pongal among Tamils. As the Tamil proverb by Avvaiyar goes, “Aarila oorukku azhagu pazh” (there is no beauty in a city without rivers), this sentiment is particularly relevant for cities like Chennai, which has already lost its major river, the Cooum.
The festival also includes customs for newly married women, who replace the yellow thread on their thali with hopes for happiness, and visit temples near riverbanks to pray to Goddess Amman. The women later receive a new thali thread from elderly married ladies.
The essence of Aadi Perukku is to honour water. Given the global climate changes and the water scarcity affecting many regions today, the festival underscores the importance of preserving water bodies. Instead of gushing rivers, many places now face water shortages, highlighting the need to cherish and protect our natural resources.
- As told to Merin James