Multigenerational Navaratri Celebration: Family Tradition Spans Decades

As the Navaratri festival approaches in 2025, the Shekher family is gearing up for their annual kolu display, a tradition that has been passed down through the generations. According to actor and theatre artiste S Ve Shekher, the kolu display at their home has grown significantly over the years, expanding from a 5-7 step setup to a massive 51-step arrangement.

The responsibility of the kolu has now been taken up by Shekher's daughter-in-law, Sruthi, who has not only continued the tradition but also amped up the scale. The family's Navaratri celebrations now take over their entire house, with the kolu display occupying the majority of the space. Interestingly, the theme for the kolu is decided each year by the women in the family, often surprising the household with their creative choices.

Shekher's grandchildren, Aarna and Aaryan, have also become actively involved in the process, with Aarna helping to set up the kolu and Aaryan creating his own display featuring a classroom, a park, and a birthday party. The family's Navaratri celebrations extend beyond their home, as they invite around 100 families to their house for a grand celebration, serving them a traditional virundhu (feast) and sharing the joy of the festival.

Shekher emphasizes the importance of supporting the family in upholding cultural traditions, especially when the next generation takes the lead. The family's kolu collection includes dolls that are over 100 years old, and they take great care in preserving and maintaining these precious artifacts.