VISARI (FAN)

Dear friends,

Today my posting is about Visiri (Fans) – nostalgic and current models. I am extremely happy three or four members write
to me every day responding to my postings and the moderators too find my postings fit among all serious topics
discussed, which encourage me to continue. Some members remind me of new topics, some missing additional points worth to
include.

Let me go over to my nostalgic visaries.

Sincerely
Gopala Krishnan 15-10-2010.

1. Palm leaf visari

Even after electrification most of our houses in native had lights only. Probably non availability of fans or its
luxury, I am not able to say. There would have been a feeling our small beams could not with stand the momentum gained
during running.
Palm leaf visari was quite common and after meals every body wanted a visiri in the summer after- noons.

If some body else was ready for fanning a person it was more liked and mostly never refused. In old Tharvad type rich
houses the women folk had servant girls for carrying out similar petty works.

In each house, three or four Palm leaf fans used to be there and old ones on replacement were used to fan kitchen fire
also.

2. Visari and Kasi yatra

Along with umbrella, stick, religious book, visari is a must for the bridegroom during Kasi yatra. Some shops still sell
Palm leaf visari for similar purposes. Now a day palm leaf has some replacement with fibre leaves so arranged and made
and sometimes visiri made of peacock feather visiri is used.

3. Visari in danam

During annual sraadha and immediate to death ceremonies, danam include visiri. During Sraadha performed at Varanasi too
Visari is included as a danam Item.

4. Magistrate's Panka.

On earlier days when electricity was not available there were metallic fans fitted and rotated by pulling of a rope
though pullies in government offices for senior officers. They were called Panka.  There were panka men and one of my
periappa was a Panka man in magistrate court. We use to hear from elders when the magistrate say "Kattu" (Wind) he will
pull the rope. When the magistrate say "Mathi" (Sufficient) pulling will be stopped.

5. Aalavattam and Venchamaram

These were two fanning items mostly associated with temples and royals. Aalavattam is made of peacock feather and bigger
in size than of visari. Vencharamaram as name indicate a white chamaram (bunch of tiny looms similar to silk) fitted to
a holder. When a lot of wind moves is created near the person. Aalavattam and venchamaram are used by others to comfort
a king queen or similar dignitaries.

In temple festivals during sree Bali one person will fan Alavattam and other Venchamaram. They will be sitting or
standing   behind the person holding the jeevatha over the elephant. The belief is God is feeling comforted by the
fanning.

5.1 Sweating of Muruga at Tiruchandur temple

There is a practice in Tiruchendur temple- the idol will be frequently fanned with a chamaram to avoid the sweating
coming from the idol.

During British regime, once the Madurai district collector visited the temple. He enquired the reason for fanning. He
was informed unless fanned the idol will be sweating.

He astonished and remarked- "Idol will sweat? What foolishness- stops it?"
In his presence with in minutes the idol started sweating and drops of sweat started falling down since fanning was
stopped.

Repenting over his action, the collector asked to continue fanning and complimented a silver pot immediately available
to him to the deity. I have read the pot is still available in the sanctum of Tiruchandur temple.

6. Peacock feather visiri

Visiri with peacock feather was rare earlier days but now it is quite common. It was costlier also earlier days. Now in
T Nagar Chennai platforms it is available for a price ranging from 60-80 rupees- an unbelievable price.

This visiri is very soft and could well use for fanning kids during power failure.
7. Electric fans

The electric fans became common in 1965 period. Its weight was initially very high and about 15 kgs. Now fans weigh 4-7
Kgs only maximum. These fans are called ceiling fans since fitted to the roof (ceiling)

On earlier days the fan was fitted to a strengthy beam, sometimes adding one more additional beam close or new concrete
beam placed. Fan was fitted to beam with a hook bolted and nutted at two or three places.

Now in all buildings specific locations are already provided with hooks to hold the fan. Ceiling fan come in different
colours.  The only problem with the ceiling fan now is the frequent failure of running condenser which may at least
occur once in a year.  There is no caution- The fan stop all on a sudden.

The most important thing I wanted to mention is electrical items is comparatively very cheaper and more durable. We can
get good quality fans for about 1000-1500 rupees from a standard company.

8. How will we distinguish between DC and A C fans?

This was a question answer during my degree course period. There are two essential parts in the motor. One is stator and
other rotar. In AC fans which we use we can see the motor is running and wings are connected to it. In DC fans the motor
will be firm, moving will be the centre armature to which wings are connected. Now DC fans are miniature fans which I
discuss later.

9. Three   Wings and four wings.

The electric fans most common is the one with 3 wings. But four wing fans also are available in electric shops. The wing
lengthy varies with in margins in different models.

During rotation dust will be collected on the top and bottom of the wings. Periodical cleaning is a must.  Once a month
it is minimum required. Now having vacuum cleaners cleaning has become easier but still for top cleaning extra efforts
is required.

I have read else where most of the dead human skins find a place in fans dust!!

10 Table fans and pedestal fans

Table fans was most attracted item by people during 1965's. It provided satisfactory wind and could be kept on stools.
It was most liked for bedrooms.

Even in those earlier days many missed provision for hook in the ceiling for R CC roofing. Some felt Table fan was more
comfortable for transport. Some how 65-75's was an era of table fans. Every house used to have two or three table fans.
The comfort was it could be taken even to varandha and worked using a plug point.  We can see these model fans in
railway coaches now.

Table fans had child guard so that no worry of children touching wings. They used to come in attractive colours.
Now table fans have mostly lost market. Its only use is in temporary military tents, tourist tents or small thatched
houses today.

11. Special use of table fans

Some members may wonder is it? Hence I like to add this.  When an open well is cleaned before getting down for cleaning,
it is advised to run a table fan at the bottom. This can be done by bringing down a table fan tied to a rope and bring
down. The table fan's power supply lead has to be extended to the top where it can be connected to a multiplex box.

Running a table fan for half an hour  will move up  the most dangerous carbon dioxide hidden at bottom to the out side
air  and bring oxygen down . I hope you got it. Then it is safe to get down. So well cleaners mostly keep it now also.

12. Pedestal fans

Pedastal fans are for blowing of air. They are specially convenient in shops, marriage halls, big halls of the house
etc.  Pedastal fans are bigger table fans, motor with higher RPM, and about 5' feet in height. One of the important
applications is in Photo studios where high wattage lamps produce very much heat.  Normally persons renting shamiana,
chairs etc will have two or three pedestal fans too.

13. Fan regulator

I do not know most members know it, regulator is a rheostat. By regulating the current through various values of
resistances, the speed is regulated. Whether the fan is kept at position 1 or position 5 of the rheostat, the current
consumed is the same. Balance current when kept in position 1(resistance maximum and speed very slow) is radiated
through a resistance.

13.1 External regulator

Earlier there were external regulators. We could see the top getting heated and breaking and we used to replace.

Now with concealed wiring, regulator too has become mini equipment like a three pin plug. In the laminated switch box
along with switches it is also accommodated.

Much time we could observe warmness in the switch box caused due to heat dissipation in it by continuously running the
fan. But these strong laminas with stands the heat. Further there is not sensed dissipation through its cuttings also
keeping the box cool.

14. Wall mounting fans

Wall mounting fans find its application in pooja room. It gives necessary wind with out blowing out the lamps.  In
kitchen they give some comfort from the heat, with out blowing out gas burner. So with store room and small corridors
where ceiling fans can not be mounted.

15. DC fans

DC fans now available are miny and mostly used for blowing small areas. Our sasthrikal find its application for blowing
Agni in homakundam. The fan will appear like a torch with two or three cells, a mini motor inside, and out side simply a
round protrusion. The three removable wings can be gripped to it. Mostly fibre made. When switched on it will comfort
agnidevan and he will rise with his seven tongues from homakundam…

Smoke from- homakundam will not dis comfort people present. Incidentally during power failure some people use it for
self fanning. Only thing he has to hold it. China make mini fans are available in all fancy shops. But frequent battery
replacement is required.

16. Necessity of fans

With all our modern split type and earlier /partially current window AC, we cannot keep fan apart.

During power failure, our popular mark UPS cannot take the load of an AC unit at present. The UPS current can maximum
operates a few fans, TV and lights. In technical terms a few watts about 1000-1300 watts.

Our one ton split air condition unit require minimum 2200 watts to run. For starting about 2800 watts. 

For operation theatre it is now got done using special high wattage UPS or paralleling out puts of smaller UPS in the
hospitals

17. Today scenario

Most of the houses have installed UPS to meet power failure. Places like Chennai, will have two hours failure once power
cut is implemented. Every house has fan in all rooms, rooms like hall or guest room two or three ceiling fans. In
summary a house has at least 7-8 ceiling fans.

As the fan give old look or motor coil break, most resort for a new fan. The cost of rewinding motor is high now.
Repainting of wings is sometimes done with spray paintings but this too is like dying hair.