Thaipusam 2007 Unveiled

In stark contrast with the previous year, I found myself standing like a tourist on the outside of Dhoby Ghaut station attempting to catch the fanfare of Thaipusam this year. That I retired early into the night to sip a few beers at Prinsep while still keeping an eye on the festivities, you don't need to know. The general feel of this year was that it was quite quiet and it seemed as though a less than normal number of kavadis actually went out. In actual fact, all tickets were sold out. Apparently, everyone was aiming for the first light set off and the last batch set off.

The first group for apparently logical reasons: Beating crowds, morning basking sun, ability to rush off to other commitments or viewing other kavadis later. The later group for much more obvious reasons: Take at night and the whole world watches you.

The KLKillahs didn't go out on an all exclusive picture and video taking trip this time around preferring instead to collate every individuals' take on the event.

First up, we have our "I attend every single Hindu festival because I live in Tekka" boy, Praba. His yearly kavadi ritual is well documented in pictures and his piercing vid over HERE. The Girl too pitched in with her videos on an Urumi Mellam group. Also managing to catch on tape, a drunk man calling out for divine intervention [possibly for his hangover] near the end of the second clip. View them now.

MystiKal went all out on a digicam riot even needing to stop halfway thru the day to go get the damn batteries charged. His 100+ collection was too large to upload over here and so you will have to get to it through his Flickr photostream. Even our KLKlan based in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Ghost Particle got into the action with this photo post, HERE.


Not to be outdone, my V3i came in useful catching the reason why we love this festival. The illegal bongo beaters of course.

All other videos on Thaipusam 2007 Singapore not taken by us: HERE

But then again, this event has been at the heat of arguments since the 1960s. There seems to be no one year where there was unanimous agreement that the event was run superbly and everyone who took part in it went home feeling like a million bucks. Drawing from a hot discussion on a Singapore Indian related Yahoo Group. We see, two Singaporeans giving their 15.75 paise worth on the event this year.

1) Road closure route

Especially the one from Tank Road back to Perumal Temple: There are many people, followers & supporters who may want to go back to Perumal Temple again or half-way back to support or follow another Kavadi. But in order to do so, we hv to really make a big round which is not practical & it is really tiring, especially those family with kids & older people. Why can't they do something to allow both to & fro in the same route. As I mention above, it's a once a year event & we may want to support more than one kavadi. Thus, it will be good if the Mgmt look into the route to make it a more flexible & a pleasure one for everyone & of course by not causing any disturbance or jam in the procession.

2) Alcohol & Cigarette

All of us are aware that this is a religious festival which involves great devotion. Therefore, a major restriction that we shd really bring about is to prohibit anyone with beer or cigarette in their hand or anyone who is drunk to follow any Kavadis. Either they hv to dispose it immediately or stop them from following... I know its quite difficult to bring about such a law..., but to see such disrespectful scenes from our own people is really very annoying & humiliating.... it gives a bad impression on our religion, especially among the other religion. Even my Chinese colleagues knew that our fasting & the procession involves a lot of devotion, eg. strict vegetarian, NO alcohol, NO sex, NO unnecessary pleasures, etc... So what will the crowd (whether it is S'pore or Malaysia...) which consist of other races & religion will feel about our religion when they see such scenes from our Hindus - its very embarrassing & unsightly!!! Though it may involve a great effort to bring about such a restriction or law, but it will be greatly applauded by many.

3) Play devotional songs/music

It will be good to play devotional songs/music continuously without any break (from Perumal Temple to Tank Rd Temple - all the way). Some Kavadis seems to be walking very quietly through out the procession. By having music all the way, devotees are kept in HIGH spirit and it also creates the religious mood in everyone.

And the second dude:

I m totally disappointed with the volunteers @ the temples. They dun seem to be sure of their duties n think they have ultimate rights over everything n everybody. One incident occurred btw the volunteers n public where ppl were asked to leave the area to the right of sanctum(facing) as it was out of bounds to public. One thing the area was open to the public as no barriers were placed n no indications of of restrictions for public. But the volunteers actually brought their family members to that area to easily stand ard n view the kavadis. When questioned one of the volunteer even mentioned they were voluntary. It is shocking to see a little child, babies n very old people were volunteers! Furthermore, i myself have served in many temples n organizations as a member or volunteer which demands our on the ball initiative n action in carrying out duties. First time, i see volunteers dressed like brides n grooms and standing around doing nth when the temple is in need of sincere help. Volunteering is not a privilege but a responsibility. These roles have to be carefully allotted for proper running of the sacred event.

Interestingly enough, our very own Keling Kween was a volunteer this year stationed at Tank Road temple. Amidst dealing with plastic bags and cat calling ahem.. "devotees", she lets fly at those who think volunteers are just faggots with an official pass. Read about it HERE.


I leave you with just some final questions of my own:

1. On the final stretch, to open up more than one lane to the kavadi procession, will it cost us a few million dollars? It's quite stupid to see a 3 lane roadway being contained to just one and then expecting a smooth flow from the already tired of human traffic jam devotees.

2. Why do some tertiary student volunteers look like they have a stick up their arse? Is it protocol to lean over railings to "sight adikiraan" whatever chick takes their fancy? What's with the Maharaja suit looking high fashion jippas? Fashion parade?

3. Is the ban on musical instruments, i.e. not musical group related on or off? What IS the issue with it really? Can't handle the loud noise? Possible weapons? That's what adds to the entire flavour of it all man. And when was the last time two groups actually clashed in the middle of the procession? NEVER?



Photo credits: Beggs, E-Chan, Mystikalsel

thaipusam 2007, singapore, hindu
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