NAMAKKAL: Any government function would have a multitude of leaders and cadre of the ruling party swarming the venue. But, the Valvil Ori festivities held last week at Semmedu atop the Kolli hills in Tamil Nadu were bereft of state ministers.
It is quite common for party leaders, including state ministers, MPs and MLAs, to stay away from the hills for fear of a myth of losing their office once they participate in this festival, which is held every year to remember one of the seven philanthropists who ruled the hills. It looks like a lasting myth that Ori, the ancient king, may spell trouble to those in power.
“It has become a strong belief over the years that leaders or bureaucrats would lose their position if they garland the Ori statue or attend the festivities coinciding with Aadi Perukku,” an official said. Certain incidents that took place in the past seem to have lent credence to it.
DMK chief Karunanidhi’s government was dismissed in 1976, after he honoured the ancient king. Late DMK veteran Veerapandi Arumugam also lost a key portfolio in 1990 after a visit, a tribesman recalled. The fear of Valvil Ori even made new collector M Asia Mariam to stay away. Last week, she chose to keep herself busy with the routine public grievance day programme at the collectorate. Officials said the collector had to attend the grievance day event as it was her first working day.
Only C Chandrasekaran, MLA of Senthamangalam Assembly segment was seen at the event. Since he is a tribesman, be was brave enough to be present. This time, office assistants—P Venkatachalam, K Kandasamy, Murugesan, manager of a government-run cottage and Revenue Divisional Officer M Kannan garlanded the Ori statue at the break of dawn.
Jix on the Hill: Valvil Ori
One of the legendary seven Philanthropist-Kings in the Sangam era, Valvil Ori is known for his mastery of archery and famed magnanimity. The name itself is suggestive of his bravery and poets have sung in awe about the greatness of this ruler of Kolli hills. As much as he commands respect, the ancient king also instills fear in the minds of netas and babus. ‘Touch the statue of Valvil Ori, you would lose the position’—are the words that ring in the ears of people at the helm of affairs. by R Sivakumar
