Crafts for connoisseurs

THE GRAINY texture of granite is sculpted into arresting shapes - birdheads, plates and bowls all embeded with yellow ceramic chips. Pondicherry's soft clay is transformed into a stunning range of ceramic vases, dinner and tea sets. Pretty hand-made paper lampshades, stationery and room dividers, embellished with pressed flowers shaped like birds and butterflies spell elegance.

At the Naturally Auroville Boutique, Chennai's lifestyle store, are available artistically crafted artefacts - from lyrical ceramics to beaten brass platters, aromatic candles and beautifully hand crafted 'reproduction' period furniture in teakwood.

The handiwork by craftspersons who work in the 100-odd units functioning in Auroville which are funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, most of the products are organic, 'natural' and ecologically sustainable.

The variety of pottery on display is remarkable. Dinner sets and mugs in black and white stripes, blue and green ceramic vases, lampstands and other artefacts, are eye-catching. In earth colours, vivid yellows and greens, the dinner and tea sets, coffee, tea and beer mugs, lamp stands, candle stands and other functional knickknacks are contemporary and classy.

The granite sculptures are other show stoppers, apart from pressed flower hand-made stationery, boxes, files, laminated trays, wall hangers etc. Leather bags, which too are handmade, and finely beaten brass trays with a golden finish are chic.

Also available are vegetable-dyed organic cotton salwar kurta sets and men's kurtas and cotton knitwear garments.

The furniture items created under the guidance of European designers have the feel of authenticity coupled with superior craftsmanship. Elegant roll top desks, Chettinad style 'tiled' occasional tables and European style chairs are compelling pieces.

The boutique also has an artistic collection of colonial antique furniture and old wooden mirrors, boxes and trays.

Naturally Auroville Boutique is on Khader Nawaz Khan Road, off Nungambakkam High Road.

PUSHPA CHARI

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