Going back to my roots again this week. All things old are making a huge come back in Kerala and I am so glad they are. Take these hanging lamps for instance, they are called Kerala vilakku or thookku vilakku.
Brass is a very popular medium to make Hindu god figurines. On the left is a Ganesha (you may remember him from my mural painting earlier) and the right is a Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) lamp. Always an integral part of the prayer room, these bronze lamps are lit during dusk for prayer and are usually hung in the porch. Now they are popping up like mushrooms after the rain in all forms of decor adorning living rooms, hallways, and even coffee tables (like mine). 🙂
The hanging swing benches of Kerala called ‘the attukattil’ add an air of whimsy to the family rooms in many houses. The strings used to hang them can range from simple chain links to ornate bronze casts featuring birds, orbs etc.
A separate prayer or the ‘pooja’ room, a place set aside for prayer, is critical to all Indian houses. The doors to this room are usually decorated with bronze bells and intricate wood carvings.
Talking about revival of all old things, this ‘manichitrathazhu’ lock/door knob made an awesome comeback after it was featured in a hit movie a decade or so ago.
Absolutely love these, reminds me of the locks in my grandparents’ house. Isn’t she gorgeous?
Wow, the lock looks absolutely stunning… Are you referring to Chandramukhi ? Have seen it umpteen number of time, but never noticed the lock !
The aattukattil looks so tempting… If only we had that extra space in our home 🙂
These are from my parent’s home. The lock is my favorite too. The movie was remade as chandramukhi in tamil and bhool bhulaiyaa in hindi. In Malayalam the whole movie, posters were around that lock. 90% of the new homes built in Kerala have these now. 🙂
those doors especially the gold locks are giving me huge inspiration to convert them to a painting 🙂 🙂
and I have been looking forward to get sow of those brass divas to my house 🙂
Looking forward to that painting Purvi. I have been eyeing the Ganesha lamp for sometime now.:)
I loved the swing this remenbers me about my grandmothers home where i used to spend my whole day by swining 🙂 Every piece is so traditional loved themmm
Thanks Kala. Do drop in when you get a chance. 🙂
The movie is manichitrathazh right – a shobana and mohan lal starrer … Have watched the movie during my school days… I don’t remember the lock though… 😉 …
🙂
Where can I get this lock..?.
It is usually available all over Kerala that sell brass items.
Vidya
Thank you Vidya for this info