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Some examples of the artefacts and crafts on display.
Terracotta figures surround a Ayyanar Shrine. Ayyanar is a popular village God in Tamil Nadu who protects villagers from evil. The terracotta animals provide the God and his companions with transport to patrol the village at night.
A local priest was consulted in the construction of the shrine and participated in the making of the figures and providing appropriate pujas (blessings and worship) during their making.
This lady showed me how to make a small cubic ball by weaving strips of dyed banana leaf.
The
drawing of symbols known as kolams, on the ground with rice powder is a very
common practise, in South India, to ward off evil.
Examples
of Madras Handkerchiefs made in the region by weaving cotton. These were regularly
exported to Africa and were incorporated into traditional forms of dress there.
Weaving loom.