Benoni craftsman creates a miniature kavady barely longer than a cellphone for toddler’s first religious festival

BENONI craftsman Dirk Mortier’s  latest creation - a miniature kavady barely longer than a cellphone – will allow a toddler to participate in his first religious festival on Sunday.

The kavady was commissioned by Wylen Pillay, 35, a sales manager from Centurion, for his son Micahlen, who is one year and six months old.

Mortier, 56, the founder of Shanti’s Kovils,  said this unique project of creating a miniature kavady for a toddler made him very emotional.

He did not charge the family for the kavady.

“To be able to give this toddler an opportunity to follow the traditions of their families’ beliefs is something special. With making this small kavady, everything is more time consuming and delicate. The weight has to be light enough for the child to carry it, considering it still needs to be decorated.”

He described the process as both challenging and emotional.

“It took trial and error in the making. I was extremely emotional and spiritually content when making this kavady.

“Getting the proportions right is difficult, but it was all worth it when I saw how happy the parents were.”

Mortier added that the toddler’s parents were overwhelmed by his willingness to take on the challenge.

“They were in awe and I cannot wait to see the baby carry the kavady,” he said.

Pillay said he got in touch with Mortier via a bhajan group.

“We purchased a kavady from him for my wife, Prenell. She asked him if it was possible for him to make one for our baby and he was absolutely thrilled to do so.”

Pillay said Mortier did not charge them for the miniature kavady.

“I was going to try to make it myself, but it was an impossible task. Then we saw that he could make it. When we saw the kavady, we loved it. We never saw anything like it,” he said.

The family, who recently moved to a new temple, Shri Muthumari Angalaeshwari Temple, said the kavady held a special meaning for them.

“This is our baby’s first kavady and our first time carrying in a new temple since we have moved. We have been carrying kavady for years. My wife still continues to carry kavady while my vow has been completed.”

Originally from Chatsworth, Pillay said introducing his son to the faith at a young age was important to the family.

“We have chosen for our baby to carry his first kavady at such a young age because we want to bring him up religiously. I would like for him to know about his religion early and then take it upon himself to continue when he’s older.”

While unsure how their toddler would manage on the day, Pillay said the family was looking forward to the moment.

“He is our first child. We do not know how he will carry the kavady on that day, but we will find out on Sunday,” he said.

Mortie said his business was born during the Covid-19 pandemic when he was forced to tap into his creative side to make a living.

He was production manager with a long-standing passion for woodwork when he lost his job.

He named the business after his wife, Shanti, whose name means “peace”.

The couple have been married for 11 years. Shanti, 56, originally from Durban, played an integral role in the creations.

“She painted the kavadies with vibrant colours and added the stonework,” Mortier said.

He initially started by making kovils, temple-style cupboards, before expanding his craft.

“My first kavady started when I was approached by the Guru of a temple to build a chariot, and he enquired about kavadies, so I decided to try it out,” he said.

Deeply rooted in tradition and spirituality, Mortier said his work was guided by faith and symbolism.

“I want to keep the Indian traditions and culture going. Every year, ahead of kavady, I am visited by peacocks at my workshop. It is a reminder that it is time to honour Lord Muruga again,” he said.

The POST