Campaign on wheels
Coimbatorebased V Annammal rode a bike in style through the city’s streets as part of her election campaign
he Vishukkani, a resplendent display of all things prosperous, is the first thing Malayalis wake up to at the crack of dawn on Vishu Day. An idol of Lord Krishna is arranged, surrounded by seasonal fruits and vegetables, traditional utensils and lamps. The kani is strewn with the golden sprinkles of kanikonna flower.
Considerable effort goes into the setting up of Vishukkani. However,
Tnow you have the option of buying readymade Vishukkani combos. All you need to do is open the box and put together a kani. A number of online platforms have come out with readymade Vishukkani kits and hampers. From Krishna idols to vaalkannadi (a traditional mirror with a handle), and even manjadikuru (lucky red seeds), these kits include the Vishukkani essentials.
Guruvayurbased online store Arte House offers a standard Vishukkani kit, which includes a paper mache Krishna idol (45 cm), thiru udayada (a fanlike prop made of cloth used in the
Vishukkani), brass vaalkannadi, mayilpeeli (peacock feather) and
kunnikuru (red coloured seeds). This kit is priced at ₹1,900. But the kits come with various combinations of items.
Pranav MP, an engineer who launched the startup in 2017 as a side hustle, says business has been good. Selling idols made of various materials, seasonal decor and more, he has customers within Kerala and outside and the company is now retailing through Amazon as well. The
Vishukkani kits at Arte House starts at ₹850 upwards.
Angroos, a Kochibased online gift boutique, has a range of Vishu kits, gifts and hampers. A basic gift hamper contains brass lamps, coins, set
mundu, Krishna idol, artificial kanikkonna flowers, manjadikkuru and readytomake payasam. A hamper such as this ranges from ₹2,000 and goes up to ₹13,000. These hampers could be customised too, says Ebin Jose, the general manager of Angroos.
Malayalis outside Kerala
Bankerturned entrepreneur Nisha Nair says her Vishukkani kits are aimed at Malayalis outside Kerala. Having spent most of her life outside Kerala, she felt that a readymade Vishukkani kit would be a hit among the Malayalis outside the State. She launched Adukkala Online in 2022 and sold her first batch of Vishukkani kits in 2021. A basic Vishukkani kit contains an uruli, konna flowers, thiru udayada and
vaalkannadi, priced at ₹1,999. Smaller, customised kits are available too.
Alappuzhabased Mannar Craft, which sells traditional utensils and decor items, offers Vishu combo sets, which start at ₹3,000 and go up to ₹22,000 depending on the number of items.
A ₹3,000 worth combo has a brass uruli (about eight inches), nilavilakku (traditional lamp), brass kindi (a traditional utensil with a spout usually used for storing water), agarbatti stand, brass para, thiru udayaya and
vaalkannadi. “The bigger combos usually include nilavilakkus as big as 22inches,” says Shruti Pillai, sales head. s the engine roared to life and the Royal
Enfield Bullet surged forward, bystanders cheered for the rider, V Annammal, who was campaigning for her fellow DMK cadre, Ganapathi Rajkumar, for the upcoming general elections. “It was a moment of exhilaration,” the 49yearold says with a chuckle, recalling the moment onlookers and party members joined her bike rally. “Riding a bike wasn’t just about the campaign; it was about breaking barriers,” she explains.
AAnnammal’s journey into the world of sports began on the playgrounds of St Mary’s School in Kotagiri, under the watchful eye of her physical education teacher. “Sports taught me discipline and resilience,” she reflects, “It was on those volleyball courts that I learned the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and pushing my limits. Those formative years instilled in me values that have guided me throughout my life’s journey.”
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature, Annammal found herself drawn to sports. She eventually got into volleyball
◣ coaching.
“Coaching was my way of giving back to the community,” she explains. As a coach and player, she inspired athletes to reach for the stars.
Annammal went on to start the AR Volley Ball club, through which she and her two children aged 27 and 23, also physical education trainers, coach children from lessprivileged backgrounds. “My day begins at 4am. The coaching sessions happen at Nehru Stadium from 6am to 9am,” she explains, ‘Then, I focus on political activities through the day.”
Voice for change
Joining the DMK in 2019 was a pivotal moment in Annammal’s life, marking a new chapter in her career. “It was a tough decision, but I knew it was the right one,” she says. “As the organiser for the Women’s Wing in Coimbatore, I found a platform to amplify my voice and advocate for change.”
Riding a bike is nothing unusual for Annammal, since she uses one to commute from home to her coaching sessions every day. Using it for election campaign was her son’s idea. “It was a spurofthemoment decision; my son, home on leave, suggested I lead a rally using his bike.”
As Annammal looks to the future, her resolve remains unshakeable. “I want to inspire more women. Because when they come together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.”