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)

Thiruneermalai Hill Temple , Chennai

There is this beautiful temple on the top of a hill around 20 kms from Chennai city and another one at the foothills. 

The temple am referring to here is the Thiruneermalai Ranganatha Temple which is among the 108 Divya Deshams and hence, quite an important one. 

Taking 200-250 steps may sound tiring but this one wasn't a difficult task at all. The steps up has enough landing space for the older folks who would like to rest ones in a while. Wish the surroundings were much better maintained. Its painful to see a lot of plastic strewn on either sides as we go up which otherwise would be a much better sight :(

The entrance to the main temple

This isn't a very big temple however attracts a lot of pilgrims. We got their around 5PM and by the time we reached up it was 5:30 (you have ample paid parking space at the foothills). We could finish the darshan in less than 15 min.

The temple has ample space for pradishnam. Inspite of the high temperature, this place is quite windy and that makes the visit quite pleasant. You can easily spend enough time enjoying the breeze.

The main city is behind the temple but what you see is Tambaram on one side and Maduravoyal on the other.


{ Pictures are taken by Veena }

Manjal - From M.Rm.Rm Foundation, Chennai

Today I am taking you to a beautiful store " Manjal" (a Chettinad craft and tradition unit in Chennai) by M.Rm.Rm Foundation, A non profit organization run by Ms. Visalakshi Ramaswamy.

The M.Rm.Rm Cultural Foundation’s motto is ‘Research, Document, Revive’, with craft preservation and revival rooted in artisan and community development. It works primarily with local village women to revive craft, while at the same time providing them with a reliable source of income, exposure and a tremendous amount of confidence.

Many in Chennai do not know where to get Chettinad Kottan products. I see that people enquire various websites, to know the available sources to get Kottan. You walk in to this store and your search should end . This is the place where you can grab such things.  Vibrant colour boxes are placed in every corner.

Colorful collection of all type of boxes in all shapes, baskets, coin/money purses, bottle holders in different shades etc add to the beautiful collection.

Vibrant collection and patterns of Chettinad Kottan  is a visual treat to the eyes. 

The traditional Palmyra basketry of Chettinad, kottans were once woven by the women of the Chettiar community but over the time, they slowly stopped being made. The Foundation has revived the craft in its original patterns by teaching it to a group of village women from Keelayapatti Village in Chettinad. The aim of the M.Rm.Rm Foundation  is to provide a dependable and sustainable source of income through this craft

These baskets are gaining great popularity both as packaging for gifts as well as a range of contemporary home accessories. The Natural dye has resulted in a whole new range of subtle earthy shades that are as exquisite as they are eco-friendly.

I have already added a few boxes to my home, a tissue box for my car. The Kottan today has found its place in the contemporary home.


Thanks to the people at Manjal for allowing me to feature of their lovely store in my blog.


They are located :

Manjal / M.Rm.Rm Foundation
No. 70, MRC Nagar Main Road, 
MRC Nagar, RA Puram, Chennai


FB link here



{ For images Contact Manjal}

Made from Kashmir | Cricket Bats

During our travel to Pahalgam(Kashmir) we had spotted many Cricket bat making units in Anantnag, a few kms away from the Saffron fields of Pamphur.

I didn't know that crickets bats comes from Kashmir until i came across these small units. I could see dozens after dozens of shops selling cricket bats on the main roads of Anantnag.

These bats are popular across the world for their quality and durability. Apparently all the bats used in the IPL  are " Made In Kashmir". I was also told that they have specific designs for various players and all that is done in some of these small unassuming and humble looking units.

Some of the districts where these bats are made in Kashmir are Anantnag, Baramula, and Pahalgam.  

The Cutting Machine

The Kashmirs artisans work extremely hard to ensure that the fibers get knitted properly to maintain the shape of the bat.  

A pile of roughly shaped bats with handles attached

Another major aspect of the process of making a perfect bat is oiling. The oil is applied on the back of the bat, toe, front, and edges to ensure its durability. 

Its quite a common sight to see pictures of various famous cricketers along with the store name 

The lady in the picture who takes care of one of the selling units. 

Selling units (like a typical store) is right above the Factory on the main road. Spoke to the shop owner and he said that this is the small scale industry that gives thousands of Kashmiris their livelihood, besides a passionate flair for the game. 

We can be proud that we are the second largest exporter of cricket bats in the world, right behind the UK, where this sport was apparently born. Do visit any of the factory and grab a bat. 

Factory and Store Address 

M M Dar & Sons 

Sangam, Anantnag - 192202, 

National Highway, 

Hallamulla Sangam, Kashmir.