1.Is it a practice of our tradition to tonsure? Is it appropriate for a tonsure child/baby? 2.Are widows considered equal to males? In matters of orthodoxy, when they give up wearing colored clothes and partake palaharam like males, are women considered to be similar to males in orthodox matters?

1.The tonsuring head is not part of our tradition. But it is a practice of some households to tonsure the head of child.
2.Widows must adopt the orthodox practices of the males. That is, adorning of 12 Thiruman kappu, partaking palaharam where it is ordained, etc. This does not mean they are equal to males.