SRUSHTI

Srushti - The Handicrafts Emporium, promoted by the Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development and Artisans Welfare Association, is a unique effort to showcase and market the works of traditional artisans of Tamilnadu.

The 1800 sq ft emporium was started in July 2000, after a group of craftsmen conducted a series of exhibitions in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore to gauge public reception to arts and crafts, and found the response encouraging.  The group formed an Association (which is soon to be established as a Society) and opened 'Srushti' as a retail outlet, for the creations of about forty craftsmen from all over Tamilnadu.

The brain behind the Association is its Secretary, L Rathakrishnan, master craftsman and National and State award winner.  The objective of the Association is the welfare and uplift of craftsmen, who otherwise do not find a proper channel to sell their works or fall prey to scheming middlemen.

The famous bronze statues from Swamimalai, woodcarvings from Thammampatti, Chinnasalem and Arumbavoor, and bell metal items from Nachiarkovil form the bulk of the creations at Srushti.  Other works on display are Thanjavur paintings, terracotta and papier-mâché products, pith-craft and a few cottage industry items.

The metal artists of Swamimalai are the acknowledged masters of making 'vigrahas' (idols) and decorative items for temples and their bronze statues amaze one with their intricate work and overall majesty.  Srushti has several unique pieces, in poses and gestures hitherto unseen, that have caught the attention of art connoisseurs and the media.

One piece still on display is, Rathakrishnan's creation of Lord Siva dancing upside down in 'Ganga avatharanam', one of the 108 poses of the cosmic dance.  Another of his statues is the one of 'Chakrathu Alwar', with Lord Vishnu on one and Yoga Narasimha on the other side of a wheel. He also sculpted the first-ever statue of Dhanwantari with an 'amrithakalasham' (pot of nectar) in one hand and a leech in the other.  It is the only piece to come out in the market and was bought by a New York customer.  This has given artisans inspiration and the confidence to create novel and innovative pieces for the art market.

The two massive wooden sculptures of Ganesha and Krishna facing the entrance overwhelm one with their sheer size and artistry.  What's more, they have each been made out of single pieces of wood from the 'vaha' tree.  Both are products from the Arumbavoor region and are to be displayed at the next series of Srushti's exhibitions.  Apart from these, there are smaller statues, wall panels and other wooden items.

Srushti's bell metal specialities include the 'annapatchi and thoondamani kuthuvilakkus' (different kinds of lamps) and other 'pooja' items.  Terracotta pieces made by artisans from Pondicherry and Cuddalore, and papier-mâché items from Chennai complete the ensemble at Srushti.

Address: Srushti, Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development and Artisans Welfare Association, 270, T.T.K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018.
Phone: 499 6716.
Working Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Holiday: Sundays

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