Social taboo on chooral kids a worst-kept secret

ALAPPUZHA: Social taboo associated with children subjected Chooral Muriyal, mostly from disadvantaged families, is a worst-kept secret in Chettikulangara. Some treat them as an augury of ill-luck. “We got only a golden necklace, utensils, bunch of toys and packets of vegetable and '2,000 from the family that offered Kuttiyottam,” says Ajitha, who had to send her second child four years back to keep his grandfather’s vow before his death.

“We expected more from the NRI family. They went back to Gulf a couple of days after the ritual. Now many get Rs 50,000.” They will not be allowed to go across the way of a person going out for an auspicious journey. They are not to be a ‘Kani’ (auspicious sight).  “But we have not restricted the child as they  wanted,” says the homemaker. But Devaki, an elderly in the family, refused to admit the ritual causing harm to child’s dignity or body. “We gave the child for Devi. Amma (presiding deity at Chettikulangara temple) will retaliate if anybody treats him so," she said.

Ajitha’s husband Gokul Das is a construction worker, and they live in a small house on three cents. Another young man, a fire and safety engineer now, said his mother was forced to send him a decade ago as she was struggling to make ends meet after his father's death.  “When I grew up, I stood up against this ritual and got many life threats from hardcore bhakts. It’s an absolute violation of the law of the land,” said S. Abhilash, a retired government servant.

Omshah, a Kuttiyottam asan (master), recalls how some years ago a  child tried to run away when he came across his away.  “He told me his parents had instructed him. I took him immediately to his home and tried to convince the parents,” he said. “However, the most of bhakts remain unchanged.” He suggested ash gourds as a replacement for children and had submitted a proposal to the temple authorities. They simply rejected it.