56-year ritual still going strong

Despite hardships, veteran kavadi bearer always looks forward to Thaipusam

KUALA LUMPUR: Life used to be a struggle for veteran kavadi bearer P. Nadarajah (pic).

Despite his adversities, one thing has been a constant in the 71-yearold’s life: carrying the kavadi, which he has done every Thaipusam since he was 15.

“I had a tough childhood as my father died when I was young. Work was very hard back then,” said the father of five.

In his 20s, he worked as a labourer, earning RM78 a month, which was split into three payments.

But come Thaipusam day, Nadarajah would look forward to carrying the kavadi.

“It is to show my gratitude to Lord Muruga for my blessings. I will never stop doing it and I have never given it a miss,” he said.

“I’m in my 70s, but I’ll be back next year.”

This year, Nadarajah carried an elaborate 70kg kavadi up the 272 steps leading to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple.

He was met on the grounds of the Batu Caves temple complex after his descent. The whole trip took him about four hours.

His family helped him put on his rented kavadi in the morning and later disassembled it.

Nadarajah said his life improved when his first son, who is now 44, was born.

“I got a job as a technician at Tenaga Nasional after his birth. Now I am retired,” he said.

“I have five sons and a big family. I’m grateful for that.”

Nadarajah’s life was filled with even more blessings when a Chinese baby boy was given to him 25 years ago by a family.

“I raised him since he was a month old. He is like my own son,” he said proudly.

The son, Ang Ming Hao, has observed Thaipusam since he was a boy.

“I’m happy to join my family for Thaipusam despite being a Buddhist,” he said.