KOZHIKODE: Hybrid courses are the latest fad among the job seekers and those who want to add another skill to their CV. Even in that off-kilter world, a course to teach Bali Tharpanam (a ritual for paying obeisance to ancestors) is a real stand out.
A group of clerics - the Bali Tharpana Samithi - in Kozhikode is now offering coaching classes in ‘Bali Tharpanam’. The course, now into its fifth year, spans over a month, and will enable the participants perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ as clerics across the state.
It’s an inclusive course too with daily wage labourers and professionals taking the class. The current batch has 25 participants. M Chandrashekharan Nair, president of the Bali Tharpana Samithi, said it was heartening to see people trying to break the barrier of tradition.
“This is an initiative aims to propagate and create awareness about the importance of ‘Bali Tharpanam.’ Our focus is on creating employment opportunities for those who are interested in performing this ritual. Nearly 10 youngsters have showed willingness to join the course this year and adopt the ritual as a part-time job,” said Chandrasekharan, a retired bank employee. The course fee is `1,000 and it will provide an in-depth and scientific understanding of the rituals involved in ‘Bali Tharpanam.
The organisers also create a database of those who completed training. “The database will help us to inform them whenever there is an opportunity,” Chandrashekharan said. The course is not male-centric as women are also learning the rituals. Usha Chaathanadathuthazham, a sexagenarian native of Kozhikode, has joined the training because of her sheer interest.
“I decided to take up the training because of my curiosity about this particualar ritual. Besides, at this age I can have my own savings,” said Usha.