The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, Poompuhar, has brought out an impressive range of oriental brass lamps created by its artisans and craftsmen for the ‘festival of lamps.’ Its main objective is to preserve the ancient crafts of the State and raise the standard of living of the craftsmen by providing marketing opportunities for them.
As one steps into the C P Art Centre where the exhibition is being held, a magnificent nine-foot, three-tier brass kuthuvilakku, with branching parrot lamps and bells greets visitors. On the top is an intricately-carved idol of Goddess Lakshmi protected by a canopy. The awe-inspiring brass creation, handiwork of the traditional artisan community of Nachiyar Koil, about 50 kilometres from Thanjavur, carries a price tag of Rs 4.23 lakh. “About four years ago, an engineering college in Vandavasi purchased a similar lamp, then costing around Rs 3.5 lakh,” recalls T Chandrakesan, an employee of Poompuhar.
The grand collection of lamps inside the gallery is a feast for the eyes and caters to devotees. There is a thirumalai deepam, with chakra and conch motifs, priced at Rs 1,797, Balaji deepam, Ashtalaksmi deepam and hanging Lakshmi lamps. Also on display are eka jyothi (single spout) lamps, proclaiming the oneness of god, five spout lamps and four spout lamps, denoting the pancha bhoothas and four vedas.
A gold-dyed lamp, costing Rs 21,855, is an ideal art piece. There are also pradosha deepams, Kubera vilakku and thoonda vilakku.
Vasamalai, usually seen framing the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum inside temples, costs Rs 39,713, says Chandrakesan.
The exhibition is also showcasing Malabar lamps, traditional clay akal villaku lit during Karthikai and electric lamps. This year, brass lamps with antique finish are making a foray and seem to be attracting visitors like Dr A Lakshmi, a medical practitioner who runs yoga centres at T Nagar and Alwarpet areas. “I am looking for big antique lamps for my yoga centres,” she says.
Sources say the Corporation has greatly contributed to the technical development of brass lamps production. Besides Nachiyar Koil, Poompuhar has two other production units at Madurai and Vagaikulam.
New production methods and new designs are helping to preserve the traditional craft. The exhibition, which was inaugurated by Minister for Rural Industries P Mohan on Tuesday, will be open until November 30.