Offering a wide range of products from icons and pooja accessories to decorative urns, metal craft has many takers. The marked difference between mass-produced articles and hand-made artefacts is evident at a glance, when you view the brass and copper works from Madhya Pradesh, displayed by artisan Deepak Jain at the Traditional Crafts Bazaar at Sri Sankara Hall.
“I have selected the hand-tooled items for this exhibition with utmost care” says Deepak. ”Since Chennai craft lovers value traditional designs and workmanship, my collection includes uncommon artefacts. For instance, the candle flame stopper (momambattee stopper – Rs.500 ) made of brass and topped with two miniature parrots, is a small, well-designed pincer used for extinguishing a candle flame by pinching the wick. It is highly appreciated by those who are particular about not blowing out a flame”.
Utility meets beauty in an intricately fashioned brass dual holder for sindoor and kajal (Rs.800). Evoking nostalgia for a past when skincare products were home-made and stored in hand-crafted containers, the unique piece throws up an additional surprise when the swivel arm is swung to reveal a small embedded mirror in which the wearer can view the positioning of the bindi or application of kajal. The antique finish is echoed in bowls, ganga-jal pots, ‘urli’ s and ‘sombhu’s, delicately hand-engraved with images of Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Ganesha, Siva, Vishnu and Garuda. “I ensure that the artefacts, made of brass, copper and copper-brass alloy are affordably priced’ adds Deepak. Tall brass ornamental lamps, Radha-Krishna idols, statuettes of Ganesha, Buddha and musicians playing instruments, highlighted with turquoise and red moonga stone minakari complete the range.
Terracotta, silver and pearl jewellery, Pattachitra paintings, Chennapatna and Kondapalli toys, clay ware, Khurja pottery, silk, cotton and Kota saris are also on display at the exhibition, on till 29 June. Timings: 10 am – 8.30 pm.
