Kavadi maker Kuhanraj Asokan putting the foam on the kavadis for Thaipusam. Photo: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: With the rush for kavadis as Thaipusam nears, it’s the quality rather than the quantity that matters most to Kuhanraj Asokan.
While most kavadi makers are rushing to meet Thaipusam orders, he is actually taking fewer this year as he believes working at his own pace can help him craft better ones.
He can also spend more time with his newborn son who is less than two weeks old.
“Nowadays, I prefer quality over quantity. Last year, I produced 27 kavadis but this year, it’s only 16. I turned down quite a few orders.
“Crafting a beautiful kavadi is a labour of love for God and every single one must be perfectly crafted. I will not rush to complete the kavadi but will take ample time working on it as it needs a lot of patience.
“Depending on the customer’s needs, an elaborate kavadi may take up to a week to be completed while a simple one can be done in a few days,” said the 28-year-old.
Because Kuhanraj works as an accountant for a multinational company, he only works on his kavadis in the evening with the help of a friend and a relative.
His love for the art began when he was 14 years old, as he picked up the skills from his father Asokan Muniandy, who used to make kavadis for his friends during Thaipusam.
“I used to watch my father make kavadis from rattan and plywood, unlike those today that are mostly made of polystyrene which is much lighter and easier for the devotees to walk with,” he said.
Today, Kuhanraj’s business has grown, with orders coming from Kedah and even as far as Johor.
“I just shipped out a 3m-tall kavadi to Sungai Petani, which is fully decorated with lights at a cost of RM5,000.
“I have also completed several kavadis priced at between RM1,500 and RM2,500,” he added.
He operates from a temple in Sungai Ara, where all the kavadis are built, fixed and painted before being delivered to their destinations.
“Most customers will collect the kavadis from here. But there are those who will seek our help to fix the kavadi on their shoulders, which will entail separate charges. I will send my workers there if I am busy,” he said.
Good quality kavadis, said Kuhanraj, were in high demand, adding that the cost of materials such as wood, polystyrene and paint had increased over the years.
“My business also involves selling parts of kavadis which are much sought after. Many do not have the time to source or make these.
“I have sold the parts to as far as Johor for this Thaipusam.
“Right now, I have completed almost all the kavadis, with the final touches to be done before they are shipped out on Jan 21 (today),” he said.
