Lexicon : Thaipusum is an Indian annual procession where devotes wear the Kavadi (burdens) to implore Murugan, the Hindu God of War for assistance or to repay a spiritual debt.
In the exhibition the viewer sees the Kavadi assembly as well as the individual component parts displayed in an organized manner. There is a video playing the Thaipusum procession.
I can imagine the exponential pain caused by the spikes and hooks piercing through my skin and carrying the weight of the Kavadi on my shoulders.
I read about and see the Kavadi in the exhibition somehow I have not understood what it really means as I have not grasp the meaning through my own unique practical experience.
I must be an Indian.
I must be a Hindu devote
I must seek spiritual favor from Murugan
Perhaps satisfying these conditions , I can know the word Kavadi and Thaipusum.
The word will forever elude me, a Chinese man watching from a distance admiring the Indian man inflicting pain upon himself in a public spectacle. I do not have the devote courage who derives spiritual benefits from the experience, transforming the bodily pain into spiritual pleasure ...
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