E-Paper
Artefact fetches Rs 2.5 lakh
THE CRAFT festival by Tamil Nadu Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd started on a happy note. A 6x4 feet masterpiece of craftsmanship portraying Lord Venkateshwara was purchased for Rs 2.5 lakh by a city-based businessman whose name was not disclosed. Earlier, inaugurating the exhibition at Lalit Kala Kendra, Aliganj, Governor TV Rajeswar appreciated the work of the Tamil Nadu artisans and showered praise on brass statues of Ganesha, Nataraja, stoneware, sandalwood items and rosewood carvings, besides the display of day-to-day utility art pieces, including thoonda lamps, Vasamalai lamps, wooden sculptures, wall brackets, door handles, etc.
THE CRAFT festival by Tamil Nadu Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd started on a happy note. A 6x4 feet masterpiece of craftsmanship portraying Lord Venkateshwara was purchased for Rs 2.5 lakh by a city-based businessman whose name was not disclosed. Earlier, inaugurating the exhibition at Lalit Kala Kendra, Aliganj, Governor TV Rajeswar appreciated the work of the Tamil Nadu artisans and showered praise on brass statues of Ganesha, Nataraja, stoneware, sandalwood items and rosewood carvings, besides the display of day-to-day utility art pieces, including thoonda lamps, Vasamalai lamps, wooden sculptures, wall brackets, door handles, etc.
Chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited D Rajendran expressed satisfaction to see the response of the city’s art lovers to the show and said, “The Lord Venketeshwara masterpiece was sold within an hour of the opening. The masterpiece took six months of hard work to be crafted with gold foil and zircons. We have another idol of Lord Nataraja (which is 7X3 feet) made of ‘panchadhatu’ that costs Rs 3.78 lakh and we hope would be bought too”.
The variety of traditional lamps of Tamilnadu caught the fancy of visitors and proved a big hit.
Art lovers were seen inquiring about the free-standing ornamental lamps ranging in height from 18 inches to six feet, besides special lamps dedicated to the deities Vinayaka, Lakshmi, Karumari and Kamatchi. Also on sale and display are the famed, multi-tiered Malabar lamps, ranging in height from six inches to five feet.
A novelty here is the ‘thoonda vilakku’, which can remain alight for days without any refueling. While the smaller sizes of these lamps are designed to hold half a litre of oil, the bigger ones can hold twice as much. The lamps are based on technology invented 100 years ago in Tamilnadu. Those displayed in the exhibition cost Rs 1,600.
According to manager of TNHDCL V Hemlatha, “ The hanging lamps of Tamil Nadu were popular in affluent homes in ancient times. They are basically space-saving lamps designed to throw a comparatively shadow-free circle of light on the ground.”
Ornamental chains with geometrical designs etched on the individual links enable them to swing gently without spilling the oil or putting out the flame.
Perhaps the most spectacular of the standing lamps are the branched lamps, called Vasamalai costing Rs 14,000 each.
Sandalwood items comprise statues of Ganesha, Lord Buddha and are available in the range of Rs 1,000 to 16,000. Beautifully carved sticks of Sheesham are available at Rs 275 each.
Another big draw lies in Kanchipuram silk sarees, Thanjavur picture paintings, art plates, bed spreads, cotton sarees and leathers products from the Tamilnadu. For all patrons of art, the exhibition is a must-see.
