CHAMAYAVILAKKU
- ART AND CULTURE
News:
In Frames | Embracing the
feminine
What's
in the news?
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Chamayavilakku, a festival in Kollam district of Kerala, is a flamboyant display of
sartorial creativity where men deck up in women’s clothes, complete with
jewellery and accessories.
Chamayavilakku:
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It is a unique festival from Kerala and is
a celebration that transcends
conventional gender boundaries, symbolized through dress and ritual.
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Held in Kollam district’s Kottankulangara Sri Bhagavathy Temple, it sees men
adopting women’s attire, embracing femininity in a spiritual context.
Date:
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Occurring in Meenam (mid-March to mid-April), it aligns with the Malayalam
calendar.
Tradition
& Attire:
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Participants, dressed as women, join a
nocturnal procession to seek blessings from Goddess Durga.
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This act of men wearing women’s clothing
is a direct homage to a legend where cowherds, disguised as girls, conducted
the first pujas at the temple.
Rituals:
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The Ezhunnallathu,
a lamp-holding procession, is central to the festival, symbolizing the light of
divine blessings and community unity.
Legend
& Legacy:
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The festival’s roots lie in a miraculous
event where a bleeding stone was found to contain the divine essence of
Vanadurga.
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This discovery led to the tradition of
cross-dressing for the temple’s rituals, symbolizing devotion and
transformation.
Community
& Inclusivity:
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Over time, Chamayavilakku has grown to be
a beacon for the transgender community, celebrating diversity and acceptance.
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This evolution highlights the festival’s
role in fostering a more inclusive society.
Significance:
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This festival not only honors a divine
legend but also promotes gender fluidity and inclusivity, especially resonating
with the transgender community.