Let us seek the blessings of Elders, ‘Doddavakka Harichili’

24/04/2009 at 10:27 am (badaga)

One of the wonderful and deeply meaning ful customs of Badagas, is the seeking of the blessings of elders. That is, whenever any person meets/visits an elder, he or she seeks the blessings of the elderly person [elderly does not mean aged/old but only elder by age] by bowing the head and requesting “Harachu (bless me)”. If any headgear like cap/turban is worn, the same is removed.

badaga-blessing1

The elderly person puts both his/her palms on the head of the person seeking blessing, and blesses as ‘ Ondhu Nooru, Saavira Agili [let one become a hundred and then a thousand];  Somi, harachavu,sogavu kodili [may God give good health and happiness]; Hoppa eday, bappa eday ella ollithay barali [let only good things happen while going out or coming back]‘

This tradition not only ensures respect to elders but also shows the close bond. Incidentally, open palms -where the nerves end, is supposed to transmit positive vibrations. Thus, the open palms placed on the head, is the ultimate way of blessing.

If you are new to this custom, it may make us a bit uneasy [ashamed is a very strong word] but when you get used to it, this is pure bliss.

Let us start seeking the blessings from the most neglected elders – our parents.

1 Comment

  1. mlle_sumathi halan said,

    11/05/2009 at 8:48 pm

    The write up on Gunji and seeking elders blessings a la badaga were really interesting.

    Well, I was very curious that there has been no write up as yet on the new badaga movie, ” gavava thedi ” on our website… I am sure you are having reasons !!

    As the director of the movie was a friend of my dad’s friend , we went to see the film.

    It is not a bad attempt at all for a badaga movie , yet there were a few lapses which were prominent … for instance there were typical commercial elements inserted …may be for the front benchers … but time and again audience have encouraged and supported good directors like Mr. Radha Mohan … . Hope our future badaga moviemakers will be bold enough to make movies they believe in.

    There was also poetic injustice in characterisation because 1 evil character ( the hero’s so called friend ) is not punished till the end .

    Anyways , these are beginning days for badaga movie ventures and hope everyone goes to watch this movie , at least to encourage such entrepreneurs for the coming generations .

    Hoping to see what other visitors to our site feel about this movie !

    Hello Sumathi, there is no other reason other than lack of info on the movie ‘G.T’ for not writing about the same. Of late, I have been away from my place and hence not been able to update as frequently as possible. Yes, I am with you, any new attempt should be encouraged.

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