[1]Swamimalai (near Kumbakonam), Nachiarkoil (Thanjavur district) and Thanjavur, which are synonymous with artistic bronze icons, brass lamps and traditional art plates, will soon be brought on the international tourism map, to showcase the rich cultural tradition of Tamil Nadu.
These three chief production centres of the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, familiarly known as Poompuhar, have been churning out gorgeous products for even the overseas market. “These centres will be made part of the tourists itinerary of both inland and foreign tourists to popularise the ancient crafts of Tamil Nadu,” an official told this correspondent.
He said it has been planned to organise demonstration at these centres to highlight the lost wax process in bronze icon making, which is the traditional ways in which engravings are done on brass lamps and also the manner in which copper brass and silver are combined to make the famous Thanjavur art plate to the tourists. Accordingly, it has been proposed to upgrade the production centres at the cost of Rs 30 lakh each.
It has been planned to increase the number of artisans in the production units by conducting three-year training programme in bronze icons production at Swamimalai, two-year training in brass lamps production at Nachiarkoil and one-year training programme in making Thanjavur art plates at Thanjavur.
The traditional handicrafts made at the centres are exported to Singapore, Malaysia, the UK and the US. Poompuhar had earned a net profit of Rs 64 lakh during 2011-2012 against Rs 37.37 lakh earned during the previous year. It has targeted to earn a profit of Rs 1.28 crore during 2012-2013 fiscal.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/13artjpgcropdisplayjpg-622