Childhood memories are really pleasing, and they are always associated with some sort of innocent play and collecting simple things. It may be just a piece of marble, broken bangles or even Kunnimani and manchadi. I doubt if even a single child of modern times collects such items. Though they look cheap, they are priceless to those kids belonging to one or two decades back.
Kunnimani and Manchadi are missing these days
Kunni Kuru also known as Kunni Mani
If I talk about my childhood memories, both these seeds have great significance. I used to collect them both and am sure every child really loves it. It’s really hurting to know that such precious things are really missing these days. A few days back, when I gave these seeds to my 5-year-old girl, I could see innocence in her eyes. Her eyes grew broader, and in surprise and happiness, she said, “Beautiful!”
Manchadi Kuru
Yes, for a kid of the new generation, it may not be possible to play with such things. I used to play kallankuzhi pallankuzhi) in my childhood, with these beads. Kunnimani is available in red-black combination as well as in pure white colour. It resembles a hen’s egg a lot though it’s smaller in size. Its amazing and matching colour combination, size and shape made it kid’s favourite. I am sure, though tastes of kids have changed with the passage of time, they are still innocent and carry some sort of similarities of tastes with kids from half a century back.
Kunnimani cluster
Manchadi kuru (lucky red seeds) is also used by astrologers for ‘preshnam vaikkal’ – astrological predictions. Once upon a time, manchadi was also used as a measure of gold. Manchadi’s weight was taken as the smallest unit of gold. It’s still used in local phrases, though measurements have been substituted with much more accurate ways.
Kunnikuru (crab’s eye) has nothing significant except its amazing colour combination that makes it everyone’s favourite. Manchadi is a tree, while Kunnikuru a climber. Leaves of manchadi is used for ‘irakkipooja’ of southern districts of Kerala – a temple celebration associated with the procession of Bhagavathi’s idol and a velichappadu, and it goes from one home to another, giving blessings to the devotees. While different types of flowers and leaves are used for decorating the place where the pooja is conducted, the manchadi leaf holds a significant place. Most recently, I watched Kalankaval from a nearby Bhadrakali temple. Read more.
Also read: Lyrics and translation of Malayalam song from Priyam Movie – Kunnimani Kannazhake.
Read a few articles related to Kerala Culture, Traditions & Social Life. Here is the page link. Click on the images in the gallery to read
(Visited 1,616 times, 1 visits today)
Recent Comments