THE eleventh-hour cancellation of kavadi processions for Thaipusam has left kavadi-makers in limbo since many have spent their savings and salaries to prepare kavadi for devotees.
National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, had, on Wednesday, announced that kavadi processions would be barred during Thaipusam to curb Covid-19 transmissions.
Devotees, she said, would be allowed to carry only paal koodam, or milk pots, to fulfil their vows.
Halimah's announcement caught many kavadi-makers by surprise, especially those here and in Ipoh, since the temple management had told them that kavadi processions would go on with tighter regulations.
Veteran kavadi-maker Balasubramaniam Batumalai, 43, said he lost almost RM25,000 due to the last-minute announcement and the inconsistent decisions made by the Sri Subramaniar Temple (Batu Caves) management since December.
"Towards the end of last month, the temple committee said devotees would be allowed to carry kavadi and fulfil their vows before Jan 15.
"However, they banned the urumee melam, or drum performance, from accompanying kavadi processions and we agreed.
"Then in January, the temple committee gave approval for 200 kavadi to enter the temple, but kavadi-makers were asked to register online with the temple management.
"But getting past the online system was frustrating. The temple committee kept changing the registration dates for the kavadi processions until the last minute.
"Despite the hurdles, I registered 12 mayil kavadi (kavadi made of peacock feathers) and then the National Unity Ministry dropped a bombshell," he told the New Sunday Times.
Balasubramaniam said making a mayil kavadi cost almost RM7,000 and took weeks to be completed as he had to source the statues and other materials from India.
An instrumental engineer by day, he developed an unwavering passion for kavadi-making since he was 17.
"I usually receive close to 60 orders from customers in the United Kingdom, Qatar and other countries who return home every year to fulfil their vows to Lord Murugan.
"Earning profit is secondary. Making kavadi, to me, is a form of worship."
He is also concerned that the government may impose a similar ban on kavadi processions in other temple festivals.
"If bans on kavadi processions continue, I'm afraid that this craft may die off before we pass down the skills to future generations."
With fewer than two days to Thaipusam, another kavadi-maker from Ipoh, Lawrance Dev, 34, is still hoping for the government to green-light kavadi processions to mitigate his losses.
"There are about 50 kavadi-makers in Ipoh.
"We worked tirelessly over the last two months and forked out almost RM40,000 to buy materials, hire workers and pay rental for our stores.
"Some of us had even used our salaries to make the kavadi. The government should have informed us about its decision at least in December.
"I hope the government will reverse its decision on this matter. They should at least allow fewer than 15 people from the same household to accompany a kavadi bearer.
"Kavadi in Malaysia have gone beyond religious symbols to become tourism icons. A Thaipusam without kavadi loses its joy and meaning."
Kavadi-makers in Penang, however, did not have high hopes for Thaipusam this year since the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) had informed them last month that the standard operating procedures for the festival would be tightened.
Taking heed of the early notice, Kuhanraj Asokan, 27, decided not to make any kavadi despite receiving 24 orders since November.
"I only managed to sketch out kavadi designs for my customers in early November.
"Everything came to a halt after PHEB told us to brace for another muted Thaipusam this year."