Leather Beats of Peruvemba

Palakkad’s Peruvemba village has been resonating with music of its own for more than 200 years now,often unheard and unsung! Peruvemba is renowned for its leather-based musical instruments.

Step into the land of Peruvemba, a small village where you can see artisans engaged in the making of musical instruments like Maddalam, Idakka, Mridangam, Chenda, Tabla, Timila, Idakka  and others. The members from the Kadayan and Kollan community, who live and work in Peruvemba are preserving this ancient craft which is their livelihood as well. 

A single instrument has to go through multiple stages of production 

 A typical craftsman's day begins early in the morning in their workplace. They invoke goddess Saraswathy, the Hindu deity of wisdom, music and art before starting work. They work and and live here till its long past dusk.

This village is sought after by the maestros of Carnatic music who come down to this tiny village all the way from Thanjavur, Chennai and many parts of the world to get their instruments made and fine-tuned. Renowned musicians from different parts of the country visit Peruvemba to procure their prized instruments.

The beats of the instruments are set to the pounds of the lives of the craftsmen here. As you reach the village, endless classical notes ring out from tiny sheds adjacent to small houses. 

Cutting Skin is a tough task

The base drum is made using jack fruit wood or Kanikonna. The skin of buffaloes and cows are bought from the abattoirs. We also paid a visit to a place which resembled a tannery. Here the skin of cattle are washed, stretched and pegged to small poles on the ground to be dried in sunlight for weeks and to be scrubbed and smoothened later. The skin, purchased from a nearby town, needs to be dried for more than 48 hours. Cow skin is used in chenda, goat skin in mridangam and the thin skin of the cow’s intestine for the face of the edakka.

Whatever the tales of hardships be, whatever may be the impact of this strenuous work on their health, the artisans from the land are never ready to let go of the tradition. 

They are an integral part of Kerala’s musical tradition and culture.

Pictures Taken For Aksh Weaves and Crafts

Images are copyrighted. 

Infomation from Google

Kanchi Kudil-Kanchipuram

Its been a long time since I wrote something on my blog. Not that I didn't have anything to share. Its just that I got busy with too many things. My business needed my undivided attention along with managing my family as well :). Let me take you through a quick snapshot of my recent family visit to the Temple City of India.

I would like to take you to a 100 Year old home in kanchipuram which is open for public as well. " Must seen in kanchipuram". The house belongs to a Mudhaliar community family who used to live here. It has separate prayer room, room for young children, a dressing room, kitchen, bath and a well ventilated veranda.

Right before entering the house, you will see a place for people to sit (generally for occupants to spend time to get some freshness). It is called ‘thinnai’ and is part of a traditional house of Kanchipuram. In earlier days, people used to sit in their thinnai and converse with their neighbors. Also, sometimes strangers used to come and take rest here in those times (am sure we can never imagine strangers come any close to our houses to take rest in today's times)

The house is designed to suit the tropical climate of the region ( Hot-Hotter-Hottest months of the year). There is a courtyard open to the sky to allow natural air and light. It also allows the heated air to escape so the room temperature remains cool. You can clearly see an old time teak wood table, chairs and similar simple furniture kept in the living room of the house. People used to stay in joint families in old days and we see a lot of those items used by them at that time.

Kolam is another thing you wont miss 

Attractions of the house include a large swing, paintings and photos of women with traditional jewelry, a model of a woman with silk sari and jewelry, grain storage room, the statues and photos of various Gods, crockery items and stove of that era, showcases and decorative items. All the items are of the ancient time and exhibit a true essence of those days. Furniture is of teak wood, while earthen pots are used as crockery (cooking and serving)

Vintage Mixie and Grinder 

Earthen pots used as crockery

It is a very peaceful place and definitely a good place to enjoy a traditional meal.( Pre book needed). Visiting such historical places, help us learn about yesteryear lifestyle provide a sense of their behavioral tastes. 

Location: 53 A, SVN Pillai St, Pillaiyarpalayam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Price: A nominal amount of Rs. 10 is to be paid as the entrance fee.

Timings: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm

Photos taken by Veena for the blog "Everything In Nature".

(Informations are From Kanchi Kudil  Management and KanchipuramOnline)