The seasonal rhythms and celebratory rituals of India’s festivals have been the inspiration behind many of the country’s craft forms. The hereditary artisan’s knowledge of mythology and local tradition, coupled with his mastery of skills and design sense have, through centuries, created a cornucopia of products that resonated with the significance and flavour of each festival.
The range veers from sculpted Swamimalai bronzes of various deities to the brass lamps or clay diyas, from clay or papier-mâché Ganesha murtis, Durga images, ‘ghangor’ Krishnas to kolu toys and much more. Add to this the innovative streak in melding tradition with contemporary forms to produce gifts for the upcoming festive season and one has melas bursting with creative energy.
FusionPoompuhar presents ‘Crafts Mela,’ where the products span classical folk and tribal expressions, fusing the innovative with the traditional.
At the entrance stands an imposing eight ft. tall frame in rosewood made by Tamil Nadu’s craftsmen and shaped like a puja mandapam. It acts as a frame for the eight forms of Lakshmi executed in the Thanjavur style, dazzling with gold foil and kundan stones. It has been created by national award winner, Paneerselvam, whose large frames of Saraswati, Radha-Krishna and Balaji also feature among the exhibits.
Paneerselvam has done a Ravi Verma painting of Yashoda bathing baby Krishna in the Thanjavur art genre.
Inside the hall are artisan Pradeep’s attractive and innovative lifestyle products. These include jewel boxes with Thanjavur style Lakshmi or Amman imagery on the lid, embedded with annam and parrots, wooden frames and yantra bases for religious icons. “I have been innovative in my own way,” says Pradeep.
Kerala murals too make for attractive gift options. The colourful Kondapalli toys for kolu recreate vignettes of Krishna’s life as well as rural idylls.
Varsha and Dileep meld and fuse glass tubes to create exquisite Saraswatis, Ganeshas and Lakshmis along with drink shakers, Christmas decorations, animal and bird forms. Also the prettiest red roses, each perfect petal a reflection of detailed artistry.
Sandalwood icons, rosewood boxes, Swamimalai bronzes of Radha –Krishna, Meenakshi kalyanam and Ganesha, Nachiar kovil brass lamps in variegated sizes, Moradabad’s brass ware and a range of handwoven saris and textiles are gift options of value. Not to be missed are lovely papier-mâché images of Krishna to herald Krishna Jayanti which is round the corner.
Poompuhar’s Craft Mela is on at Chinnaswamy Marriage Auditorium , R-40, A/1A Mogappair Main Road, Annanagar West Extension, (Near Golden Flat), Chennai-37, till 11th August 11 .
