| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thook Bolcha is traditionally a brass hanging lamp found in the ancestral home or ainmane. It is placed in the Nellakki Nadu Bade, the sacred central space of the traditional Kodava home. Many important family and community decisions are solemnised in front of the Thook Bolcha, giving the lamp significance beyond its function as a source of light.
Traditional use: The lamp is traditionally lit at dawn and dusk to invoke the blessings of the ancestors. Thook Bolcha is much more than a lighting object. It is a sacred symbol of Kodava ancestral tradition, occupying a central place in the ainmane, being lit at dawn and dusk, receiving the first ritual offerings of rice and witnessing important family decisions.
Cultural significance: Thook Bolcha holds an important place in Kodava ancestor worship. It represents the sacred presence of the ancestors within the ancestral home and forms an important part of traditional household rituals. When rituals begin, the first and foremost act is to pray to God and sprinkle rice towards the Thook Bolcha
Historical context: When rituals begin, the first and foremost act is to pray to God and sprinkle rice towards the Nellakki Bolcha. Kodavas traditionally worship their ancestors and nature. The Thook Bolcha is part of this ancestral tradition and is used to invoke the blessings of those who came before.
The lamp is designed to be suspended from the wall using a chain, allowing it to hang within the sacred space of the house.
Reason for decline: not declined
Revival efforts: Preserving the Thook Bolcha requires documenting surviving lamps, their location within ainmanes, the rituals associated with them and the traditional meaning of the Nellakki Bolcha. Maintaining the traditional sacred space around the lamp is equally important
