Colourful hats with Bob Marley-like dreadlocks, lacquer toys, gypsy beads, seed jewellery, terracotta bells, reed diffusers and T-shirts… Potti Kadai in Vadapalani isn’t the usual roadside petty shop. Narmadha Veni’s venture is trendy, catering to anyone looking for clothes, accessories and gifts.
Started in February this year, Potti Kadai stocks eco-friendly and gift products — everything from bags to key chains and necklaces.
“While we do sell other things, the point is to create awareness about sustainable alternatives. Our lacquer toys are non-toxic, traditional and fun; we also promote jute accessories,” says Narmada.
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And the local flavour gives the shop its local name. “I wanted a name that’s easy to remember. Everyone in this city has been to or seen a Potti Kadai and I thought it would be apt,” she says.
Potti Kadai is ringing in the festive season with an array of bells, lamps, tulasi madams and elephant figurines. “We concentrated on earthenware for Deepavali and hence, the products are all terracotta-based. The tulasi madams have been popular so far,” says Narmada.
From Kolkata to Villupuram, the products are sourced from all over the country. “Everything in the store is hand-picked by us,” she says, “and we have craftsmen and manufacturers who send them directly to us. As part of our toy collection, we even have snakes and ladders.”
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The T-shirts too vary in price and range. “We have locally-made, as well as branded T-shirts, priced from Rs.150 to Rs.700.”
What next? “We’re thinking of launching a collection of miniature figurines — people, buildings, animals and so on.”
Potti Kadai is located at Doshi Gardens, No. 2, Block E, Arcot Road, Vadapalani.