Handicrafts:
ARANI SILK
Arani Silk Sari is a traditional sari made in Arani, Tamil Nadu, India.Known for its softness and durability.Making pallu design is a speciality at Arani Silk Sarees
BHAVANI JAMAKKALAM
Fine cotton carpet found in and around Bhavani area with a multi-coloured
crossbar effect on both sides.It is distinguishable from other carpets because of its process manufacture and exquisite elegance of riotious colours mostly vegetable dye based.
CHETTINAD KOTTAN
Originally palm leaf baskets woven in the Chettinad region by the women of the Chettiar community as a hobby craft. Used for gifting and dung rituals and festivals.
They were usually utility products, made, used and treasured by every household.
KANCHEEPURAM SILK
Well known for its inter moven lace (zari) work which is made of silver wire, red silk, silver thread and gold. Known for its durability, brilliance of colour, soft texture and the myriad of rich colours and the dyes are of high quality shine.
KOVAI CORA COTTON
Made from a blend of silk and cotton. The method of dying the tie and dye method yarn used for the border of Kovai Cora Cotton is the secret exclusively known and kept by the people of Coimbatore. The climate of Coimbatore ensures that the yarns for the warp preparation are not damaged.
MADURAI SUNGUDI
Woven with the tropical climate in mind and meticulously knotted to give a unique kaleidoscopic effect to each fabric
MAHABALIPURAM STONE SCULPTURE
A typical sculpture from Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram is known to be carved in stone with characteristics of intricate designing chiselled finely there unto.
Keeping with the spirit of the surrounding Pallava art and architecture, the popular stone sculptures made today in Mamallapuram are idols from mythologies or deities depicting divinity.The pose is naturalistic with stylistic presentation and there is not much distraction due to the anatomy of the structures.
The Sculpture is characterised by a wide forehead, sharp nose, long eyes, hanging ears and the oval-shaped face, usually with double chins.The male and the female sculptures are slender and curvaceous to look at and symbolize perfection in terms of beauty.The sculptures are usually in a reclining, sleeping, standing or sitting position. They characteristically look animated and lifelike despite the stone as the medium of sculpting. The stone that is delicately carved with finesse, concentrates on heavy drape like clothing for attraction as well as the elaborate ornamentation. The idols carry the aura of religion and all these depictions have the subject in the centre, with exquisite carving even at the slab of stone which is the base of the sculpture.
NACHIARKOIL KUTHUVILAKKU (NACHIARKOIL LAMP)
Handicraft product originating from Tamil Nadu and consists of 4 parts: viz base, stem, oil container and the apex or Prabai.The oil container consists of V shaped spouts to hold the wicks.These 4 parts are joined with strew threads .The central Pillar often terminating in bird, generally a Swan.These lamps can be suspended, used on religious and ceremonial occasions.
PATTAMADAI PAI (PATTAMADAI MAT)
Made with korai grass grown on the banks of river Tamiraparani and are extremely delicate and highly valued.The mats have weft being of Korai grass and warp of cotton of even silk threads.They are made in numerous colours & designs, usually rectangular.
SALEM FABRIC
The unique feature identified with Salem Fabric is ‘Doubled Warp Yarn’. The doubled yarn is dyed prior to preparation of Warp. Therefore usage of “Yarn Dyed Doubled Yarn” for preparation of “Weaving Warp” is
the unique feature, specifically attributable to fabrics manufactured in Salem Region.
SALEM SILK KNOWN AS SALEM VENPATTU
Refer to silk clothes made in Salem, Tamil Nadu. Chief attraction of silk fabric being its lustre and the water used for degumming which is believed to have certain properties to impart lustre to silk.
SWAMIMALAI BRONZE ICONS
Idols of bronze and ‘panchaloha’ of various shapes and sizes for the purpose of pooja. Different deities/ figures are made according to the demand/order.Sometimes small icons of pure gold are also made.
TEMPLE JEWELLERY OF NAGERCOIL
● Stone/jewel studded temple jewellery which include head gears, coronets and special ornaments for temple deities.
● It’s technique, process and application is very unique.
● This craft is practiced only at Vadassery and nowhere else
THANJAVUR ART PLATE
● They are encrusted on a brass tray, pot (Kadam) or cup (panchapatra).
● Have a unique appeal on account of its superb manual dexterity and skilled craftsmanship and its elegance as recognized the world ever.
THANJAVUR DOLL
● They are contrived with the help of plaster of Paris, Wood pulp and clay which are obtained on the river banks of Cauvery are acclaimed globally.
● These Dolls, which are produced on the basis of gravitational force, used to be produced in pairs i.e. Raja and Rani.
THANJAVUR PAINTINGS
● Tanjore or Thanjavur painting would consist of one main figure, a deity, with a well-rounded body & almond shaped.
● It is one of the art forms which exists today that employs precious stones and golden flakes extensively for creating figures with static expressions.
THANJAVUR VEENAI
● One of the most ancient and revered South Indian instruments.
● It has seven strings, four are playing strings and three are drone strings (thalam).
● The body of the Veena is beautifully painted, carved and chiselled by hand which makes it distinct and elegant from other Veenas.
TODA EMBROIDERY
● Traditional wear worn by the Toda community, woven by the Kota community and embroidered by the Toda women originating from Tamil Nadu.
● Toda embroidery is reversible.
Manufactured:
COIMBATORE WET GRINDER
● Wet Grinder cluster had developed as a natural cluster, not available anywhere else in the world.
● It is a home appliance which is used for preparing the batter, which is the ingredient for idlis and dosas.
● Prior to that, for many centuries, the batter for Idlis and Dosas was being prepared by using manual grinding stones which used to be very time-consuming. Hence, people were preparing Idlis and Dosas only on special occasions and festivals.
● After the invention of the Mechanical Wet Grinder, preparation of batter has become so easy that people have started eating Idlis and Dosas on a daily basis.
E. I. LEATHER
● East India Leather is an Indian vegetable-tanned leather produced by the tanneries in Trichy and Dindigul in Tamil Nadu.
● Its feel, fragrance and the pale-yellow colour which has been obtained through tanning makes it unique.
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