Some years ago, driving past Tamil Nadu’s coastal belt on a holiday, Mirudhula Bharath saw local women sitting outside their homes, twisting and shaping palm fronds into intricate shapes. She found out they were working for NGOs who helped them earn a living doing something they have done all their lives — weaving palm.
Till then, Mirudhula, a former software engineer, was helping out in her family business (Ace Data cards) as executive director, helping clients choose designs and create exclusive cards. She felt the palm frond articles would be a great value addition for customers on the lookout for personalised gift options for functions.
And so, she got in touch with the NGOs, used some of their designs, worked out new ones and started Adhista, a line of ready gifts. They are stocked in a corner of Ace Data. Prices begin at Rs. 30 for a baby purse, ideal to put kungumam and manjal in, and go up to Rs. 300 for a big shopping bag and Rs. 800 for a laundry basket. Among the items she offers are pen holders, agarbathi stands, dabbas with lids, plates, trays, flowers and baby rattles. “The creativity of these women is something else. They quickly grasp what you want,” says Mirudhula.
Because the products are very colourful and not very expensive, they are great gifting options, she says. An added advantage is that when Mirudhula buys non-dyed articles, she works on them using other fabric and embellishments to create something different. For instance, she has created a potli bag with a palm frond basket as its base. “It lends a defined shape, and looks very different,” she says.
Offbeat designs include baby baskets, storage containers and dry fruits boxes. Mirudhula is now working on products made using korai grass and bamboo fibre.
(The products are displayed at Ace Data Prinexcel, 16, Bharathi Colony Main, Peelamedu. For details, mail miruvasu@gmail.com or call 87540-32022)
