Dakshinachitra (Photo Feature)

dakshinachitra

Dakshinachitra, a celebration of South Indian traditions

Located at Muttukadu, Dakshinachitra is a center for the living traditions of art, crafts and architectures of India with an emphasis on South India. The center occupies about 10 acres overlooking the Bay of Bengal. It was established in 1996 by the Madras Craft Foundation (MCF).

The center provides direct marketing opportunities for craftsmen through the craft bazaar.

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Crafts Bazaar

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Applique Work – Orissa

Applique work involves stitching of colored patches to create a scene.

The center also allows visitors to interact with village artisans and watch folk performances set in an authentic ambience.

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Savi trying her hand at Kolam

Kolam is drawn using rice powder by female members of the family in front of their homes. It is widely practised by Hindus in South India and are usually geometrical line drawings composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots.

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Koraga tribals

Koragas are a tribal group living in Karnataka. They have a unique drum beating folk dance to ward off evil and safeguard the forest ecology.

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Wooden Chariot

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Bamboo garden

Heritage Houses

The center has transplanted 17 heritage houses from various parts of Southern India.

Chettinad House Kandanaur Village, Ramnad District

Chettinad is the home to the Nattukottai Chettiars , a prosperous banking and business community.

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Chettinad House

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In the verandah

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Veena and Nataraja

Brahmin House, Tirunelveli

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Door Knocker

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Dvarapala

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Siva and Parvati

Hindu House, Mankavu, Calicut, Kerala

This wooden house is typical of houses in southern Kerala, where timber is the main building material.

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Hindu House

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Mural

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Central Courtyard

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Spice cupboard

Koothatukulam House, Kerala

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Koothatukulam House

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Mural

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3 spoked lamp

Syrian Christian House, Kottayam Dt, Kerala

This house is representative of houses found in and around Kottayam, where the Syrian Christian community settled a few hundred years ago.

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Syrian Christian House

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Bedroom

Ikkat House, Andhra Pradesh

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Ikkat House

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Kitchen

Coastal Andhra House

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Coastal Andhra House

Dakshinachitra Address

Next to MGM Dizee World, East Coast Road, Muttukadu, Chinglepet District – 600 118

Dakshinachitra Timings

Open from 10 AM to 6 PM
Weekly holiday : Tuesdays.
Note : Open on all national holidays except for Diwali

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