Tamil Nadu

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Dindigul Lock

Lock manufacturing is an old and popular cottage industry in Dindigul District. So much so that Dindigul is also known as the lock city. As per folklore, this industry was established 150 years ago by the Sankaralingachari brothers in iron rich district of Dindigul. Both the 1906 (by Frances) and 1960 Gazetters (by B.S. Baliga) speak of this industry. More than written records, use of the trusted Dindigul Lock in ancient Temples around the region indicate product’s antiquity.

Each lock is handmade and entire process is manual. Unlike the Aligarh (UP) locks, no machine based process is involved. The process is based on craftsman’s memory and thus each lock is unique in design and system. Locksmiths manufacture 3-5 locks each day which shows the care and skill going into each piece.

There are many varieties of the Dindigul Lock. The vichitra lock needs 3 keys to unlock. The nethri lock has two key holes to confuse. Maanga poottu or the mango shaped lock continues to be most popular. Customers can also order locks as per requirement. Traditional secrecy is maintained in the lock manufacturing process. View Vendor List...

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Kodaikanal Malai Poondu

Kodaikanal Malai Poondu has pungent taste and odour. Bulbs are usually pale yellow with a purple tinge. Copper plate inscription have been found which refer to certain territories in Kodaikanal as vellaipoodu kandam meaning the garlic continent. The Vadugapatti market, now in adjoining district of Theni has been one of the established garlic trading centre.

Kodaianal Malai Poondu is an excellent herbal medicine as it is rich in antioxidants and organo sulphur compounds. Poondu rasam is prepared with pepper and kodiakanal malai poondu to cure digestive issues. Individual garlic clove is rubbed over a bad headache. Poondu laegiyum is medicinal paste prepared with malai poondu for post-delivery healing

It is hard neck garlic which can be preserved easily by hanging from low ceilings of smoke filled kitchens. When properly stored the malai poondu lasts for 8-11 months and thus unlike other garlic varieties, malai poondu can be sold round the year. View Vendor List...

LUCKNOW CHIKAN CRAFT
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sirumalai hill banana

sirumalai hill banana

Sirumalai hill bananas are small to medium-sized after ripened they are bright yellow in color with a greenish tinge at end of the stem. The ripe hill banana has a delicious and distinct sweet taste. Valai Palam (Banana), Palla Palam (Jackfruit) and Ma Palam (Mango) are known as ‘mukanigal’ three fruits which are popular across Tamil Nadu for their cultural and medicinal value.

Sirumalai banana is essential ingredient of Panchmirdhan which is offered to Lord Muruga at Palani temple. It is aslo a good shade plant for coffee farms in sirumalai region. Locals say that sirumalia banana will never go bad and its tast increases as it ages. Even when the peel goes dark, the fruit inside will be perfectly fine.

The Panchmirdham arulmigu Dhandayuthapani swamy Temple (Palani) is only made with Sirumalai and Virupakshi hill banana. This gives cultivators a predictable demand centre. Apart from that, sirumalai banana is locally much sought after due its sweet taste. Based on feedback given by cultivators, it seems sirumalai banana fetches 30-40% more compared to regular variety. Compared to Virupakshi, Sirumalai banana’s sweetness gets increased in post harvest stage. View Vendor List...

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Ethamozhy Tall Coconut

The Ethamozhy variety comes under the East Coast Tall Variety of coconut. It can grow to a length of above 30m or 100ft. It is an indigenous variety of coconut palm and it is resistant to various pests and diseases which affects other varieties such as the dwarf ones. It grows well in Saline and Red soil and it is largely un-irrigated in the district. View Vendor List...

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Salem Silk

The uniqueness of Salem Venpattu (White Silk) was recognized and granted GI Mark in 2008. Salem Venpattu Silk Dhotis are produced from time immemorial by the local traditional weaving community known as ‘Sourashtra’ Community. The silk dhotis of Salem are justly famed for their luster, whiteness, technical excellence and novelty of border designs viz., Nagachattai, Kammal, Diamond with Roja, Muthu with Gold Pettu etc. At the time of Manufacturing Salem Silk Dhotis are white in color. After washing they will be gradually changed to light sandal color and thereafter deep yellow color as it was in the beginning state of silk yarn before bleaching.

The chief attraction of the Salem Silk Dhoti is its luster. It is believed that the water used in the region is responsible for enhancing lusture to raw silk and may be one of the reasons for the whiteness and shining of silk dhoti. The jari in the border and pallu in the form of kambi is also unique.

White silk (Venpattu) dhotis woven from mulberry silk famous for its softness and lustre, whiteness, technical excellence and novelty of border designs etc. It is mainly hand-woven on pit loom/raised pit loom by the Saurashtra community in Salem district. Pure Zari/Half fine Zari (limitation Zari) is used in the borders of dhotis which is unique to this product. Border design in extra wrap is woven with the help of lattice dobby. Average weight of this dhoti is 250gm. These dhotis are mainly used in marriage like cultural and other traditional festivals. Also used as attires for Deities during Poojas. Other than dhotis, silk shirts and silk towel/scarves are also made using Salem Venpattu. View Vendor List...

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PATHAMADAI MAT

Pathamadai pai (mat) is the GI registered product of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. Pathamadai mat is famous worldwide for its unique features like softness, flexibility, health benefits like having cooling effect on the body etc. The mat is made from a local variety of grass called ‘Korai’ grass, which grows naturally in the banks of Tamirabarani River. The mat got GI registered in the year 2013.

The history of Pathamadai mat dates back to more than 200 years. The local Muslim community called Labbais is involved in this mat weaving for centuries. This being a handmade mat, most of them are hand-woven by women in the household. Initially the entire household was involved in the weaving process. Now, women are involved in manufacturing and men are involved in the marketing process. The mat plays an important role in the life of a Hindu. The mat is considered auspicious in most of the Hindu rituals like engagement, marriage etc. the mat has a worldwide reputation and was gifted to notable personalities like Queen Elizabeth.

There are around 300 families involved in the mat manufacturing. Most of them are home-based units. It takes around 15 days to complete a single mat. The cost of the mat varies depending on the size and design. View Vendor List...

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Arni Silk

In 15th century, the Vijaynagar empire got extended to North Arcot district under the rule of Kumarkampana. The introduction of rule of Vijaynagar empire saw massive changes in Language, dress and culture in this area. Vijaynagar kings started promoting small industries and one of such industry was silk saree production in Arni and Kancheepuram. Devikapuram & wadamadimangalam temple scriptures unearth this history of these Arni silk sarees. The quality of these silk sarges gradually improved in British time. In 2007 it was awarded the GI tag.

The designs are inspired by seasons and uses pure gold and silver Zari. There are 2 types of Arni Silk sarees namely Brocade which have intricate designs along with extra weft and Jangala type which have relatively soft fabric and come in fancy colours.

Arni silk is majorly produced in Arni town situated 60 km from the district headquarter at Tiruvannamalai. Now the production has also spread to nearby areas like Sevoor, Mullipattu, Munukupattu, Sirumani, Devikapuram and Irumbedu. Due to prevalence of Silk manufacturing handlooms it’s often called as Arni silk city. The area employs nearly 35000 artisans.The Arni Handloom Silk Park, is a project that has been envisaged in 2018 as a 20-25 acre facility which will be a one-stop facility to manufacture Arni silk sarees View Vendor List...

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