Dakshinachitra located on the scenic East Coast Road in Chennai is a non-profit organization of the Madras Craft Foundation created for the promotion and preservation of the cultures of the diverse people of India with emphasis on Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A variety of old South Indian houses are re-built inside the place without losing the originality. Materials used during the era are kept inside the house to provide an overview of the history of South Indian states. It is a great place to visit with family and kids if one wants to know, understand and appreciate the old traditions that are out of place today.
Around 20 houses are recreated which include the Potter's house of Tamil Nadu, Ikat Weaver's house of Andhra Pradesh, Chikmagalur House of Karnataka, Syrian Christian house of Kerala etc., Apart from the houses, there is a crafts bazaar where crafts people from across India demonstrate their craft and sell traditional craft items directly to the public. Also, there are a number of activities like dance performances, puppet shows, art exhibitions, fun activities like tarot card reading with parrots, pottery making etc., and craft workshops organized within Dhakshinachitra for children and other visitors as well.
On the way to Dakshinachitra - The scenic East Coast Road ...
Lush greenery that is in abundant in the area...
The reception lobby where many interesting terracotta pieces are placed...
Love the bird bath and the urli...
Love the beautiful arch made of bricks above the window as well..
An attention-grabbing water hole in the shape of an elephant / cattle head...
A map of the entire area... There are printed maps available at the reception itself .. It is better to have one in hand when you visit the place since the area is vast and spread across acres of land...
Loved this interesting wooden sign with terracotta plate and cutlery to the restaurant 'kanali' ..
An entire street of houses is recreated to form the Tamil Nadu section - It contains an original Nattukotai Chettiar Merchant House from Chettinad, a Brahmin House from Ambur of Tirunelveli District, an Agriculturist's house from Thanjavur district, a Weaver's house from Kanchipuram, Potter's House and Basket Weavers' Houses from Chengalpattu District.
Articles like baskets, plates etc., used in earlier times are exhibited inside the houses... Aren't the colors used on the walls lovely ?
Entrance to the Nattukottai Chettiar Merchant House from Chettinad - Pillars made of wood, primarily imported teak and the roof tiles used distinguish these houses.
You can try the gradma's grinding technique inside one of the Tamilian houses ...
Reminds me of my maternal grandmother using the same to grind grains years ago....
A weaver demonstrates the art of weaving Kanchipuram saris usiing a pit-loom inside the weaver's house ...
The Ikat Weaver's House of Koyalagudam, Andhra Pradesh ...
Love the vibrant doors and windows.....
Love the metal door knocker ...
Weavers' Houses made of stone from IIkal in North Karnataka ...
Chikmagalur House of Karnataka ...
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Note : Please plan the visit to the place for at least 2-3 hours since the area is vast. Wear sandals as you will have to walk a lot. The place can be very hot during summer even though there are abundant trees in the area.
