Aadi Perukku - Mulaipari and Adiperukku

Mulaipari and Adiperukku

Mulaipari (Sprouting or Germination of Nine Grains or Navadhanyam in a basket or clay mud pots) is a very important ritual which takes place at almost every village Goddess celebration. In its most original form, it is an exclusively women’s ritual and is of great importance for the whole village. The participants of the processions carry earthen pots with grown grains (nine different types of grains) inside on their heads and walk towards a river where the content is dissolved. In the movie, one can only watch the procession. It is accompanied by Amma n. In reality, the ritual is more elaborate. Before the procession starts, a special song and dance ( Kummi Pattu, Kummi ) are performed. The original meaning of the ritual performance is a request to the village Goddess for rain for fertility of land, in order to secure a rich harvest. The women are involved in large groups significantly implying the fertility of women also ensuring continuation of human race with peace and harmony through empowered women.

All the year's major festivals are packed into the six months that follow, culminating with Makara Sankranthi or Thai Pongal in mid- January, giving meaning to the Tamil saying, Aadi Azhaikkum, Thai Thudaikkum

In Amarar Kalki's legendary novel, Ponniyin Selvan, the story and protagonist are introduced on the banks of the Veeranarayana Yeri on the eve of Adi Perukku.