An Evening in Chennai

Last week of September I had gone to Chennai to attend International conference on Dementia and AD. It was three days conference and we had back-to-back lectures and workshops.

On the first day all the participants were taken out for Evening entertainment and dinner. The place for this visit was Dakshina Chitra - 'picture of South India'
We reached little late at 7 pm, by the time we reached it was dark and we could see lights glowing from this beautiful place. It was little cool and we were welcomed with traditional Indian Red Tilak and music and dance. The food was very authentic south Indian.

The place is a living museum of the traditions of South India. Its one of the most beautiful place have visited in South India.
It is located 22 km from the Chennai city limits on the East Coast (New Mahabalipuram) Road. It is accessible only by road. There are a host of coach/taxi services.

Dakshin Chitra is a non-profit, community service project of the Madras Craft Foundation for the promotion and preservation of the cultures of the diverse people of India with emphasis on Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Adndhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It was driven by the initiative of Deborah Thiagarajan, an American art historian who has lived in India since 1970.

Set on a ten-acre site in the village of Muttukadu overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Dakshin Chitra comprises four sections, which represent the distinct culture of the southern states. Heritage education at Dakshin Chitra is designed to provide a meaningful learning experience set in an aesthetic and sensitive ambience. Dakshin Chitra has put together workshops and other activities, which are of great interest to children.

In its own words, DakshinaChitra is a living, breathing, cross-cultural museum of architecture, life-styles, crafts, performing arts, even food and music. A first-of-its-kind effort to capture the diverse flavour of South India.

DakshinaChitra relocates 18th, 19th and early 20th century houses from around South India. It has even re-created village streets and work places, providing for authentic insights into traditional South Indian life. The DakshinaChitra initiative is simple: the first step is to identify a house, spanning areas as diverse as an ancestral home in the Chettinad region or an Ikkat weaver's home in the northern reaches of Karnataka. Having purchased it, the next step is to dismantle it. The house is then transported to DakshinaChitra, where it is painstakingly recreated - in a slot meant for the State.

DakshinaChitra is a creative hub for South Indian potters, soft-stone workers, weavers, fabric printers and other artisans. It provides technical, organisational and business inputs; design intervention and marketing help to the craft communities of South India. It also showcases traditional folk performances and is home to artisan families from the Deep South, who makes their living by demonstrating their skills to visitors. As a visitor, you are treated to a traditional puppet show, a pottery demonstration and even an authentic bullock-cart ride!

The center’s administration is overseen by professional volunteers and paid staff. It is funded by grants and donations and is working towards self-sustenance. DakshinaChitra also claims distinction as an example of the synergy between the Government, industry and conservation experts. Some of the country's leading names are on its Founder Patron list: American Express, EID Parry India, ICICI, Oberoi Hotels, and Sundaram Finance & Sterling Resorts. Its heritage patrons include the Ford Foundation and the Office of the Development Commissioner, Handicrafts. The Taj Group runs a restaurant on the premises, while DakshinaChitra venues are hired out for a host of events - corporate and otherwise.

A visit to DakshinaChitra is a journey in time through South India's rich culture. Heritage, it tells you, can be sustained and made a vibrant movement - with vision and initiative.

Going to Chennai then you must visit Dakshina Chitra.

Dakshina Chitra
East Coast Road
Muttukadu
Chingleput District
Pin : 600 118
Email: mcfdak@md3.vsnl.net.in
For more info visit: http://www.dakshinachitra.net/index.htm



Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.