PUDUCHERRY CRAFT

V.RAMALINGAM
Environment Education Cell
State Training Centre
Directorate of School
Education
Puducherry
Clay & Papier Mache Toys of
Pondicherry
In the earlier days clay toys were the main attraction but with
the awareness amongst the artists they have also started
making toys out of papier machie. Kosapalayam, a village
near Pondicherry is a great name in this work.

Figures of deities are more in demand and craftspersons do

the best of their skills. Colours play a main show among the
toys as figures that are part of religious services are made in
orange or rose colour.

Traditional plaster of paris toys are made with white, pale

blue or cream colours. Accessories are put on these figures
to give the rich look.
The kolu doll makers of Puducherry
The kolu doll makers of Puducherry
have been around for long.
The 86-year-old , still wields the brush with the same dexterity
he had in his youth. But the dolls he makes have changed
along with the times. Once they were valayal kaaran (bangle
seller), korangaati (man with the monkey), jalakreeda (people
in a pool), animals, birds, fruits, dasavatharam, Ramar set
and even the 18-piece Christmas crib set. Today, people
want bigger dolls and sets because they are showy. “We
concentrate on making sets based on temple festivals like
Garuda sevai and Azhagar koil thiruvizha, besides scenes
from life such as on school life and panchayat session,” says
State award winning doll-maker Vaithilinga Pathar.
Vaithilinga Pathar with one of his creations
About the present situation of this labour-
intensive craft, he says, “There are about 21
families of Kolu doll makers in Puducherry.
There is a growing demand for the dolls, but
several families want to give up the craft. Many
of the families, who have made dolls for
temples, have switched to other professions and
to making terracotta dolls.”
In Puducherry you can buy dolls at three places
– the pavement in front of the Vedapureeswarar
Temple, inside the temple where the Pondicherry
Toy-makers Service Industrial Co-operative
Society Ltd (Bommai) has its annual exhibition
and at the Pudhumai exhibition opposite Gandhi
Thidal. At the Bommai exhibition, where there
are about 50 stalls, the new dolls are those of
the 63 Nayanmars (Saiva saints), 18 Siddhars,
Chakrathalwar, Nithya Kalyana Perumal,
Dhanwanthri and Lakshmi Narasimhar. It also
has terracotta dolls, ceramic dolls and
decorative items for Kolu.
 Leather Craft of Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry

Leather craft of Pondicherry is famous all

over the world. The beautiful leather products
of Pondicherry are among the most sought
after shopping item here.

In Pondicherry – leather goods

still retain the old world charm
as exacting attention is paid to
details and finish of leather
products.
 Soap Stone/Green Stone Carving of
Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry
Soapstone figures are small, usually measuring
half a metre in height. Soapstone is soft and flexible
and very popular in Tamil Nadu. These are sold in
pilgrimage and tourist centres.
Handmade Paper Making

In the previous time the handmade paper craft was

mainly carried out by Muslims known as Kagzis or
the paper – makers. These craftsmen have their root
in Arabia and over the years they have migrated to
India mainly during the period of the Ghazni
invasions(A.D. 997-1030).

The craft flourished in India thereafter as the

Buddhists, Jains, Hindus and Mughals were fond of
books, paintings and written works. Today the craft
is fading because of the mill made paper.
Palm Leaf, Stem, Fibre

Several products are made out of the different parts of the

palm trees in North and South Arcot, Salem,
Thiruchirapalli, and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu which include
baskets in various patterns from Palmyra fibres and leaves
as well as mats from the stem of the date palm.

Palm leaf and stem weaving is a flourishing craft in

southern Kerala with bags, hats, and suitcases being made
both for the Indian and international markets these days.
 Granite Stone Carving of Tamil Nadu

Granite is easily available in Tamil Nadu and a

large number of temples are carved of this
stone. Pallava stone carvings which show a
high degree of skill and craftsmanship evolved
in the 6th century and the rock-cut caves of
Mamallapuram, stone rathas/chariots and the
stone shore temples are part of this expression.
Great stone temples and carvings also
date from the Chola period: examples of
these are the Brihadeshwara temple at
Thanjavur with its numerous carvings, the
temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, the
Airavathesvara temple at Darasuram and
the Kampahareshvara temple at
Thribhuvanam.
Stone Icon Carving of Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry

Swamimalai, Ramanathapuram, Trunelveli, Tiruchirapalli,

Thanjavur and Kanyakumari districts have highly skilled
artists making stone icons. Stone icons are also made in
Gopichettipalayam and Satyamangalam in Salem district
and Tiruvannamalai. Now slowly developing in Puducherry.

The artists are known as Sthapathis. They use traditional

methods of stone carving as approved in the Shilpa
Shastra. They are polished by hand to give the figures a
good glaze and glare. Rubbing with wax is also done to give
the figures a lustrous appearance.
Clay & Terracotta of Tamil Nadu

Clay figures are made all over Tamil Nadu and

Pondicherry. Traditionally each village is
guarded at its entrance by an enormous
terracotta horse, which is the horse of Ayyanaar,
a religious figure, the gramdevta of the village
and its protector against all evils. Aiyyanar has
an enormous moustache, big teeth and wide
open eyes that keep constant vigil. Ayyanaar
stands at the entrance surrounded by his horses
and commanders or veerans.
 Hammocks & Lamp Shade Making

Hammocks are made in Auroville. This is

a non-traditional craft and young people
who are good with their hands and
willing to learn are involved. The raw
material --- jute --- comes from the
neighbouring states.
 Metal Bells & Lamps of Tamil Nadu

A wide variety of lamps are used during rituals in

homes and temples of Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry.
The deepam or lamp is the most noteworthy of the
metalware made and the type of lamps include
aarthi/votive lamps, deepalakshmi, hand lamps
and chain lamps. Standing lamps, called kuthu-
vilakku, on pedestals with as many as four to five
tiers comprise of a round slim-wicked bowl placed
atop a pedestal and is used at all ceremonial
occasions
 Wood Carving of Tamil Nadu &
Pondicherry

The famed temple chariots of Tamil Nadu are

made of wood and are full of detailed and
skillful carvings. The 19th century old
Padmanabhapuram palace in Kanyakumari
district is a striking example of an exquisite
wooden palace displaying intricacies of wood
carving through its elegantly carved roof
gables, lathe-turned columns, carved window
grills and decorated wooden ceilings
Even today the front door of each household, which is
considered a sacred threshold, has intricate wood carvings
of Hindu deities.
Pith/Netti/Sholapith Craft

Pith/Netti is a form of reed found in Tamilnadu &

Pondicherry. The core of the reed appears out in white
shade when the stalks are shaved or cleaned. The artists
works to his liking as the core is very soft, light and easily
takes the desired shape. Artisans have done very beautiful
jobs