A journey through four States

A WALK THROUGH YESTERYEAR: Dakshinachitra is a beautiful representation of how it was yesterday and how it relates to the culture that we have today.

How would you like to travel through time and visit all four South Indian States in three hours? Engaged in fun activities on how things are done the olden days ways and experience how our father's father did what and how?
In this day and age when everything can be done at a click of a mouse and everything, from idly and coffee to money, cars and houses can be had in an instant, preserving and promoting the slow-paced rich heritage of the South India seem like a daunting task. But not for the people behind the Madras Craft Foundation, the organisation behind the setting up of Dakshinachitra, a cultural village 21 kilometres south of Chennai.
Built in an effort to bring the hidden wealth of South India to light, Dakshinachitra celebrates the myriad cultures of the people of South India.
Waiting to be explored are 17 heritage houses, amble long recreated streetscapes, and a host of contextual exhibitions ranging from a traditional agricultural abode to a potters workshop.
Seeing how the people of rural Karnataka live is just a few steps away from the main entrance. Here lies a colourful display of an Ilkal house from the Bagalkota district of Karnataka. Built in stone, these types of houses are where weavers create their masterpieces known all over as the famous Ilkal sarees.
Laying just a stone throw away is Andhra Pradesh with its beautiful exhibit of the Ikkat weaver's house from Koyalagudam, Nalgonda district. The State also showcased a coastal Andhra house, cattle shed and granary from Haripuram, Yellimachil district. A brief description of the house mentioned that even up to this day, villagers live in clusters of similar houses 50 to 80 years old.
A more detailed representation of the states of Tamilnadu and Kerala are shown in the different types of houses and occupation. An original Natukottai merchant house from Chettinad, Pudukottai district allow visitors a walk through the life of a Chettiar in his four small bedroom house with a veedu on each side. The agriculturist's house from the Mayavaram district displayed farm implements used in the olden days. In case you are wondering how a potter lived, here is your chance.
From two potter families of Chengelpet district is a house depicting the lifestyle of potters with space for living and working giving space for a goldsmith on the verandah. Beautifully placed is the reproduction of the village Ayyanar shrine, a distinctive guardian deity of Tamilnadu. The large horses, elephants and cows believed to be Ayyanar's transport (vahanas) were also intricately depicted.
Tamilnadu cannot be without its famous Kancheepuram silk saree weaving houses brought to the fore. Impressive ways and designs from this district synonymous to the best saree the world over were laid out for everyone to see. Guests can even try their hands on weaving with the help of the friendly artisans present in the site.
The magnificence of Gods' own country is recreated in all its finery in Dakshinachitra. From the Syrian Christian house with all its embellishments to the myriad designs of boats used by the fishing community gives anyone who visits a feel of this highly tropical environment. While in Dakshinachitra, one should not fail to engage him/herself in the wide range of activities designed to give a true feeling of South India. From toy making to weaving, grinding rice to pottery, the experience can be hands-on. That is if you don't mind dirtying your hands a bit. After all, it's not everyday that you get the chance to walk through four states and experience its culture in its finery.

***Published in Newstoday, 01 June 2007, page 3.