Vidyarambham 2019: What is the literal translation of Ezhuthiniruthu?

Vidyarambham 2019 will forever remain one of my happiest moments of the year.  Growing up, the festival of Vijayadashami is linked to my happiest memories with my cousins and parents, a remembrance of piping hot prasadam and books that are carefully wrapped and labelled and then, placed in the puja room. [READ: How and Why Malayalis celebrate Vidyarambham]

                                               [Image: Pixabay]

Believe it or not, three times a day, a puja would be conducted at home. Those were the days when we didn't have domestic help as an integral part of inside kitchen chores. This meant that everyone pitched in. Yes, it seems almost unthinkable nowadays.  Back then, all family members would gather and pitch in for cooking and cleaning and so on.  

A sense of togetherness is what made the festival so special. 

For children, this became THE season to not have to study anything, watch TV and play outdoors with other cousins and be up to all kinds of mischief. Imagine the sheer bliss of doing nothing but mischief! 

After my son was born, we used to keep the books at home itself but the fun that one enjoyed in a joint family with lots of cousins, uncles and aunts is totally missing today. Of course, we do try to make it a most festive and meaningful occasion in our own way but it is not the same as it used to be earlier.  

This year, in a first, my thirteen year old son marked the occasion of Vidyarambham at a temple close to home. He enjoyed it though he seemed a little unsure when he saw so many other Malayalis writing in the sand. I clicked a picture as he was asking me something and voila, the positive energy speaks for itself! 

These memorable snippets are what make most festivals bring out a feel-good factor for families, I guess. 

What is Ezhuthiniruthu ceremony?

For Malayalis, invoking the Goddess of Knowledge is a part of the tradition and culture of the society. For toddlers who mark their entry into the world of letters, the ceremony of Ezhuthiniruthu is very special and sacred. A literal translation is that 'Ezhuthu' means 'to write' and 'iruthu' refers to being seated in order to write for the first time. 

A broader interpretation of the meaning of 'Ezhuthiniruthu' is that one is invoking the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge when seated to write letters for the first time. In Tamil Nadu, the ceremony is called 'Mudha Ezhuthu."  

READ: What is the significance of Gurupurnima? A powerful lesson from Mahabharata!

When toddlers are initiated for the first time, the writing is on rice grains placed in a plate with a dash of kumkum and turmeric. However, once a child has already been admitted to the schooling process, the writing can be done on sand that is kept aside for this purpose, usually in a temple. Whenever we do the ceremony at home, I prefer to do the writing on a plate of rice.

As the Goddess of Learning is invoked for the first time, the elderly member of a family initiates the child for the first time into the world of letters, starting with writing the words, 'Om Hari Sree Ganapataye Namaha'.  Nowadays, this Hindu custom has been adopted by Malayalis of all faiths. 

In Kerala, on this day of Vidyarambham, most churches also conduct this ceremony. You can google to know more on this.

Notably, simplicity is the essence of all Malayali festivals and celebrations. 

Sadly, most people do not understand this aspect of Kerala's traditional culture, but it is one facet that has always been a stand-out feature of Kerala's unique traditions and societal values.

Think about it. 

Malayalis place utmost reverence to festivals, which is why we hesitate to make any ostentatious display out of it.

Sri Paramahansa Yogananda says, "Body, mind and soul are inter related. You have a duty to the body - keeping it fit, a duty to the mind - developing its powers and a duty to the soul - daily meditation on the source of your being."

Wow, these words are treasures of wisdom to guide us!

Let's also not forget that this feeling of keeping everything simple is also an environment-friendly choice. At a time when waste and plastic management are increasingly at the crux of many debates, political, social and environment-related, these choices about how we celebrate assume a deeper significance. 

For the same reasons, the ordinary Malayali's way of keeping things simple during Durga Puja or Navaratri makes complete sense. 

So if you are a Malayali reading this, do write to me about the Vidyarambham ceremony and how special a tradition it is for you.