Description:         
         

     Introducing this elegant Vintage Brass Kuthuvilakku, approximately 50 years old, now joining the Purathanam collection this month. 

This solid brass, tall traditional oil lamp features multiple tiers for lighting diyas and is crowned with an intricately made Annapakshi, the mythical celestial bird symbolising purity, wisdom, and spiritual discernment.

In South Indian tradition (especially Tamil and Kerala temple art), Annapakshi is a symbolic / celestial bird. It’s closely related to the idea of the Hamsa a sacred bird believed to have the spiritual ability to separate milk from water.

In South Indian homes and temples, the Kuthuvilakku represents light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and divine presence in everyday life. The presence of Annapakshi enhances its symbolism, making it not just a lamp, but a statement of grace and spiritual refinement.

Etymology of Kuthu Vilakku: 

              Sengkuthu (செங்குத்து) in Tamil meaning anything standing straight vertical, so Kuthu (Tamil: குத்து) means standing erect and vilakku (விளக்கு) means lamp.  So that’s why this lamp is called a kuthuvilakku (Tamil: குத்து விளக்கு). Kuthu vilakku has been in use from the days of the Cholas which is 10th Century CE.

        Kuthuvilakku consists of four parts which are screwed together. The base plate is called "Keezhbagam" , the Pivotal pillar is called "kandam", the oil well with five or 7 wicks is called "Thanguli", and the crown is  called  "Prabhai". Each Kuthu vilakku has different crowns. Eg. Annapakshi (Swan),  Peacock, Kashi Samai Kuthuvilaku etc,.

 

These are the Malayalam engraved inscriptions on four sides of the lamp base:

 Which goes like, 

In Malayalam- 

“പരേതനായ മാറ്റശ്ശേരി വീട്ടിൽ 

എം. മുരുകൻ  നായരുടെ

പാവന സ്മരണയ്ക്ക് ഭാര്യ 

ഗൗരിയമ്മ”

In Manglish-

Parethanaaya Mattassery Veettil, 
Murugan Nairudea, Pavana Smaranakku Bharya, Gauriamma

English translation:

In sacred memory of the late
Murugan Nair of Mattassery House, by his wife Gauriamma.

 

  

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Product Details:

SKU ID: PVBL021

Product Name: Annapakshi Kuthuvilakku

Made of : Brass

Dimensions :24.9” x 9” x ”x8.9 ” dia (Base)

Weight : 8 kgs.

Age : 50 years aprox.

Provenance : Kerala, South of India.

P. S. The products we sell are vintage and antiques and hence may have visible scratches and chip offs. We cherish them as they are reminders of the story they have been part of and we display them in the product pictures too.

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Please do check the dimensions before you buy.