For this Thaipusam, Pragalathen received 13 kavadi orders, with two delivered to Johor and the rest being completed by Monday. Photo: Bernama
In an age of machines, one artisan in George Town, Penang is keeping the timeless craft of kavadi-making alive, bringing colour and artistry to Thaipusam celebrations for over two decades.
For V.K. Pragalathen, crafting intricate kavadis isn’t just a job – it’s a passion and a lifelong hobby.
He began his journey at just 18, starting with a simple hobby – handcrafting kavadis and encouraging others to carry them.
With the support of three friends – A. Raymond, 44, V. Selvakumar, 51, and Y. Kantha, 44 – his passion soon grew into a serious business, pushing him to refine his craft and take it to new heights.
Now 43, with over 20 years of experience, Pragalathen and his team remain dedicated to handcrafting kavadis, preserving tradition despite the rise of machine-made designs.
Pragalathen and his friends cherish kavadi-making as a labour of love, not just a business. Photo: Bernama
"The process is painstaking, taking up to four days to complete a single kavadi (a full-time commission) and the meticulous work requires time and patience. It’s all about the details and that is what makes each piece unique," says Pragalathen in an interview at Dewan Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung (MPKK) Paya Terubong.
"There’s something about doing it by hand that makes it special and each year, we receive design requests from customers while some of them go on with our own designs which are shared via Facebook and TikTok," he adds.
Kavadi is an arch-like structure carried by Hindu devotees on their shoulders for Thaipusam as an act of devotion and gratitude to the deity Lord Murugan to fulfil their vows or prayers.
Hindus will celebrate Thaipusam on Feb 11, to commemorate the occasion of Lord Murugan receiving the sacred spear from his mother, Goddess Parvati, to eliminate the evil Soorapadman and restore prosperity and well-being to humanity.
For this year’s Thaipusam, Pragalathen has received 13 orders for kavadis with two having already been completed and delivered to clients in Johor, while the rest are being worked on around the clock to ensure they are ready for handover by Monday.
Kavadi-maker Pragalathen, aided by his daughter Subhiksha, prepares kavadis at MPKK Paya Terubong ahead of Thaipusam on Feb 11. Photo: Bernama
He said the cost for a single kavadi ranges from RM800 to RM900, depending on the design and complexity, considering their prices are among the most affordable in town, with the highest price reaching RM3,500.
Although their earnings may be lower than those who commercialise the craft, Pragalathen and his friends cherish kavadi-making as a labour of love, not just a business.
"Many people are making kavadi nowadays and I don't view them as competition. For me, the joy is in the creation and in the satisfaction of seeing the smile of a customer carrying a piece of our work during a Thaipusam," he says.
Most of Pragalathen's kavadis feature the "vel" – the divine spear of Lord Murugan – a design that has become his signature, blending tradition with innovation.
He also thanked Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai for providing free space at MPKK Paya Terubong to showcase his team's kavadis.
In George Town, Thaipusam at Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple on Jalan Kebun Bunga is known for its vibrant celebrations, featuring over 100 festively decorated "Thaneer Panthal" stalls offering free vegetarian food and drinks. – Bernama
