K E R A L A
S U T R A

A
collection
of
Inimitable
lights

FROM A TINY GLIMMER IN THE DARK

TO AWE INSPIRING PHENOMENA.

DISCOVER THE JOURNEY OF ILLUMINATION. Mango
Tree
Craft
and
Design
is
a
pioneer
project
where
indigenous
craft
skills
will
partner
with
industry
innovations
in
an
effort
to
bring
India's
craft
tradition
to
the
forefront,
through
design.
The
craft
skills
from
Kerala
form
an
integral
part
of
this
exhibition.
The
diverse
installations
will
be
linked
through
a
common
thread,
of
being
a
light
source.
In
our
endeavor
to
involve
the
community
and
revive
tradition,
we
hope
to
continue
this
marriage
with
other
craft
centers
across
India.
We
wish
to
make
a
positive
contribution
to
the
craft
community
through
the
sale
of
these
items.
Kerala
was
Mango Tree Craft & Design established
as
an
international
trading
post
for
exotic
spices
early
in
history.
The
an initiative of Somany Ceramics resulting
cultural
exchange
offered
a
cradle
for
a
wide
range
of
craft
practices
in
this
region.

The
key
theme
of
this
design
project
has
been
to
re-discover,
re-interpret
and
re-present
K E R A L A
S U T R A
these
traditional
objects
&
craft
practices
to

A
C o l l e c t i o n
o f
I n i m i t a b l e
L i g h t s create
unique
pieces
of
both
function
and
art.
Designers,
Sahil
Bagga
&
Sarthak
Sengupta,
along
with
Anjana
Somany,
Head
of
Design
&
Development,
Schablona
India
Ltd,
celebrate
the
creation
of
inimitable
light
installations,
a
cohesion
of
hand-skills
and
a
multi- layering
of
varied
materials.
Somany
Ceramics
brings
to
this
project
their
advanced
capabilities
in
the
translation
of
design. Mango Tree Craft & Design an initiative of Somany Ceramics

LEATHER SHADOW PUPPETS

K E R A L A
S U T R A

A
C o l l e c t i o n
o f
I n i m i t a b l e
L i g h t s LEATHER
SHADOW
PUPPETS

Tholpavakoothu,
the
ancient
art-form
of
the
shadow
puppet
theatre
of
Kerala,
provides
a
continuation
to
the
oral
tradition
through
the

performing
arts.
A
compound
of
three
Malayalam
words,
thol-leather,
pava-doll,
and
kothu-play,
this
ritual
performance
is
believed
to
have
originated
in
the
ninth
century.
Performances
are
held
behind
a
stretched
transparent
cotton
cloth
screen
with
hanging
oil
lamps
serving
as
the
back
light
required
to
cast
the
shadows.
The
narrative
is
drawn
mostly
from
Hindu
scriptures.
Shadows
are
deftly
cast
with
the
help
of
punched
and
painted
leather
puppets
posing
as
legendary
characters.
The
drama
is
completed
by
the
accompanying
traditional
style
of
narration
combined
with
singing.

Typically
made
from
deer,
goat
or
buffalo
skin,
the
puppets
continue
to
be
painted
in
vegetable
dyes.
Various
hand-made
punches
create
filigree
type
cutwork
motifs
on
the
leather.
The
lead
puppeteer,
a
Pulavar
or
scholar,
is
well-versed
in
both
vernacular
and
Sanskrit
literature.
He
must
also
be
a
skilled
puppet
maker
and
performer.
The
Kerala
style
of
puppet
making
is
on
the
decline
and
presently
practiced
by
very
few
families
residing
in
the
Palakad
and
Thrissur
districts
of
Kerala.

Intricate
workmanship,
numerous
punches
and
a
darker
colour
palette,
make
the
Kerala
puppets
distinctly
different
from
their
counterparts
from
the
neighbouring
regions. LEATHER SHADOW LIGHTING
INSTALLATION

The
abstract
sculptures
that
are
a
part
of
the
collection,
are
a
contemporary
interpretation
of
Tholpavakoothu.
Though
re- contextualized,
the
traditional
skills
have
been
kept
intact.
The
internal
light
source
makes
these
leather
puppets
glow,
reminiscing
a
traditional
leather
puppet
performance. RAM
RAVAN

RAM
RAVAN
SCULPTURE

This
installation
we
can
see
Rama
the
protagonist,
and
Ravana
the
anti-hero
of
the
Epic
Ramayana,
placed
on
either
side
of
the
sculpture,
signyfying
the
duality
in
nature.

Rama
represents
all
that
is
good
and
Ravana
the
demon
King
represents
the
evil
within
us,which
we
all
must
try
to
conquer.
The
internal
light
source
makes
these
hand
DIMENSION painted
leather
puppets
glow,
reminiscing
a
46
x
22
x
84
inch traditional
leather
puppet
performance. PATTERNS HORSE

MYTHOLOGICAL
HORSE
SCULPTURE This
installation
depicts
the
mythological
flying
horse
on
one
side
and
a
directory
of
every
kind
of
punch
used
by
the
Kerala
leather
puppet
maker
on
the
other
side.
The
character
can
be
recognized
to
be
a
King,
or
adversary
by
the
type
of
punch
on
the
particular
puppet.
It
can
be
said
that
this
installation
is
a
documentation
of
the
punch
types
of
a
Kerala
craftsman.
The
two
sides
are
DIMENSION 46
x
22
x
84
inch exploded
artistically
and
then
arranged
as
a
cubist
painting. CEILING
INSTALLATIION LEATHER
PUPPET

DIMENSION: 120
inch
x
100
inch
x
7
inch LEATHER
PUPPET
SCULPTURES
AT
KERALA
SUTRA
EXHIBITION Mango Tree Craft & Design an initiative of Somany Ceramics

MURAL PAINTING DIYA
PANEL

K E R A L A
S U T R A

A
C o l l e c t i o n
o f
I n i m i t a b l e
L i g h t s MURAL
PAINTING Mural
paintings
or
frescoes
can
be
dated
back
to
the
2nd
century
BCE.
Considered
to
be
high
art,
they
were
predominantly
religious
in
nature.
They
can
be
found
on
walls
of
monasteries,
temples
and
palaces
across
the
country.
The
high
degree
of
skill
and
knowledge
of
the
artists
has
baffled
analysts
through
the
ages.
Among
them
the
paintings
of
the
Ajanta
Caves
are
one
of
the
earliest
and
the
most
famous.

The
earliest
text
dealing
with
the
technique
and
theory
of
Indian
painting
is
the
Citrasutra
in
the
Vishnudhamottara
Purana;
a
text
believed
to
have
been
written
around
the
4th
century.
A
set
of
rules
govern
the
painting
of
the
human
figure,
types
of
men,
different
varieties
of
hair
and
eyes,
poses
of
the
body,
methods
of
preparing
the
plastered
walls,
and
conventions
regarding
the
representations
of
gods,
men,
landscape,
seasons
etc.
Distinction
is
made
between
sacred
(satya,
literally
pure),
lyrical
(vainika)
and
secular
(nagaras).
Strict
rules
of
proportion
should
be
adhered
to
in
the
satya,
while
the
lyrical
should
echo
drama
and
music
with
the
use
of
rasa.

In
Kerala,
superb
examples
of
ancient
mural
paintings
can
be
found.
Through
generations,
the
Kerala
mural
artists
have
preserved
this
art.
They
have
switched
to
paper
and
canvas
helping
the
art
form
to
flourish,
albeit
in
a
different
avatar. The
designers
have
conceived
contemporary
shapes
for
the
installations,
which
are
both
hand
painted
and
printed.
The
original
colour
palette
has
been
maintained
while
transferring
the
painting
onto
a
ceramic
or
glass
base,
capturing
it
for
eternity. SHRINGAAR
WALL
WITH
DIYA
PANEL

This
installation
celebrates
the
Shringaar
rasa,
one
of
the
nine
rasas,
loosely
Kerala
mural
painting
style.
The
original
colour
palette
has
been
maintained
translated
as
nine
feelings,
tastes,
or
moods.
Feelings
of
love,
attraction,
and
while
blowing
up
and
transferring
the
painting
onto
a
ceramic
tile
base,
adornment
fall
in
the
category
of
the
shringaar
rasa.
This
wall
screen
seems
capturing
it
for
eternity.
The
copper
relief
on
the
painting
has
been
applied
by
depicts
a
story
of
five
women
friends
who
seem
to
be
indulging
in
adornment.
hand.
The
diya
panel
placed
over
the
composition
helps
provide
the
light
The
narrative
is
brought
to
life
by
master
artist
Sudhir
and
his
atelier
in
the
source.

Diya
Panel This
diya
panel
has
been
conceived
as
an
outdoor
installation.
The
red
square
tiles
are
fully
covered
with
a
decal
or
transfer,
making
them
very
durable.
The
metal
grid
is
typical
to
Kerala
and
found
on
temple
walls
across
the
region.
Here
it
is
made
of
aluminum
with
lacquered
brass
cladding.
The
removable
brass
diyas
can
be
lit
like
an
oil
lamp
and
are
easy
to
maintain.
The
painting
is
done
by
Sudhir,
a
traditional
Kerala
mural
artist
and
transferred
onto
a
ceramic
tile
base,
capturing
it
for
eternity.
The
relief
work
on
the
parrot
and
banana
leaves
is
done
with
glass
vitrosa. Dimension: 105"x45"x26"
Inch

Can
be
Customized
to
any
size
in
the
grid
of
12”
x
12”
/
30
cm
x
30
cm

Faceted
Floor
Lamp The
graphic
on
this
faceted
Floor
lamp
is
that
of
a
garland
flowing
in
the
air.
Dynamism
of
the
flow
of
the
garland
has
been
captured
in
the
facets.
Master
Craftsman
Girish,
a
traditional
Kerala
Mural
artist,
has
hand
painted
it
on
Approximate
dimension cotton
cloth. 39"
x
37"x
69" Kathaku
Mural
light

Approximate
dimension 77"
x
38"
x
5” KATHAKALI
KATHAKALI
Kathakali
Wall
Light

Dimension The
facial
make-up
of
a
Kathakali
performer
has
been
enlarged
and
stylized
into
this
large
wall
light-installation.
The
126"
x
40"
x
16” five
basic
colours
of
the
make-up
code,
assigned
to
each
type
of
character,
have
been
permanently
preserved
on
a
tile
base.
The
centre
of
the
installation
is
fitted
with
a
mirror
to
reect
the
face
of
the
observer. ARANMULA MIRRORS ARANMULA
MIRRORS Dimension Wall
panels
-
24"
x
66"
x4" Base
Box
-
24"
x
9"
x
9"

Aranmula
Cloud
Panel
lights The
cloud
like
formations
of
the
mirrors
is
inspired
by
the
metaphysical
clouds
in
Kalidasa's
The
cluster
of
hand
crafted
mirrors
have
been
juxtaposed
with
the
usual
silvered
glass
mirrors
epic
poem
Meghdoot.
While
the
mirrors
represent
the
messenger
cloud
Meghdoot,
the
black
to
accentuate
the
craft.
Intricately
cut
tiles
provide
the
patterning.
The
stone
look
alike
granite
finish
ceramic
tiles
represent
the
difficult
terrain
he
has
to
cross
to
accomplish
his
movable
base
is
made
with
a
ceramic
tile,
which
has
helped
reduce
the
weight. mission. Aranmula
Cloud
Panel
Lights THEYYUM THEYYUM Theyyum
Totem

Inspired
by
the
traditional
dance
form
of
Theyyum,
this
installation
has
been
conceived
as
a
totem
and
created
artistically
by
exploding
and
re-contextualizing
the
jewellery
and
attires
of
this
dance
form.
Carved
lightweight
white
wood
has
been
decorated
with
colourful
foil
pasted
on
with
jackfruit
gum
over
the
carved
patterns.
They
are
then
overdecorated
with
pith,
beads,
and
mirrors.
The
wooden
wings
that
would
normally
form
the
ears,
represent
Sheshanag.
The
discs
are
patterned
with
the
ends
of
peacock
feathers
and
finished
with
an
edging
of
woolen
rope.
The
conical
discs
are
used
as
earrings.
The
powder
coated
metal
frame
has
a
light
source,
and
ties
all
the
pieces
together
to
form
one
single
installation.
It
is
left
to
the
imagination
of
the
observer
to
perceive
it
as
a
mood
light,
space
divider,
sculpture
or
simply
a
work
of
art.

Dimension 80"
x
110"
x
30” Theyyum
Floor
and
Pendant
Lights Hanging
16"
x
16"
x
21" Pedestal
16"
x
16"
x
73" HANDMADE
PAPER KATHAKALI
PAPER
LIGHTS HANDMADE
PAPER The
all-paper
lights
are
the
designer's
interpretation
of
the
male
and
female
costumes
of
the
Kathakali
dancers
accompanied
by
a
traditional
folded
Kerala
umbrella,
also
in
paper.
The
metal
frame,
fabricated
by
hand,
forms
the
base
for
these
lights. Two
layers
of
paper
provide
the
base
to
receive
the
top
layer
of
paper.
The
final
layer
of
crushed
and
treated
paper
imitates
the
pleats
of
the
dancers'
bloated
skirts. The
paper
borders
have
been
woven
on
a
loom
prepared
with
a
cotton
warp.
Shredded
red
paper,
inserted
piece-by-piece,
forms
the
weft.
These
have
been
hand
stitched
to
achieve
the
desired
shapes.
The
brass
fittings
connect
the
piece
with
a
paper
crown.
They
have
been
surface
treated
to
avoid
soiling.

Dimension 40.5"
x
38"
x
38"
(Man) 49"
x
31.5"
x
31.5"
(Female) 55"
x
18.5"
18.5"
(Umbrella) REPOUSSÉ REPOUSSÉ Prabha
Floor
light Prabha
Wall
light

Dimension 57"x
36"x
15"

While
traversing
across
Kerala,
the
designers
stumbled
upon
the
The
floor
and
ground
lights
are
contemporary
prabha
in
the
famous
bell
metal
centres
of
Nadavaramba.
This
interpretations
of
this
local
Kerala
artefact.
The
recurring
ritualistic
object
is
typically
a
mirror
fitted
faceted
flower
prabhas
have
been
handcrafted
in
brass
and
plated
Dimension shaped
brass
structure.
They
help
create
a
halo
when
placed
behind
to
create
a
mirror
effect.
To
maintain 74"
x
60"
x
40” divine
statues
with
a
light
source
in
the
middle. the
traditional
narrative,
the
Kerala
style
of
mural
paintings
have
been
hand
painted
and
transferred
on
to
glass. Gopurams The
traditional
rooftops
or
gopurams
of
Kerala,
are
an
austere
contrast
to
the
shikharas
or
towering
roofs
found
in
the
neighbouring
states.
The
Kerala
roofs
stand
apart
and
offer
a
variety
of
forms
both
angular
and
circular.
Typical
shapes
of
different
Kerala
rooftops
have
been
created
in
the
repousse
technique
to
imitate
the
tiles
that
are
used
as
roof
cladding.

Dimension 14.5"
x
24"
x
22"

Dimension Dimension 11.5"
x
24"
x
24" 17.5"
x
24"
x
24" Lemon
Grass
Outdoors
Lights

Lemon
grass,
found
in
abundance
in
the
Kerala
landscape,
is
a
These
lights
capture
the
image
of
lemongrass
growing
in
abundance.
drought
tolerant
perennial
plant
and
provides
an
alternative
to
The
blades
of
the
lemon
grass
have
been
hand
cut
in
brass
in
three
mainstream
farming.
It
is
a
key
ingredient
for
Ayurvedic
oils
used
for
separate
units
that
be
packed
and
stored.
When
lit,
dynamic
shadows
Kerala
massages
and
aromatherapies
and
for
the
Kerala
cuisine.
are
formed,
giving
the
feeling
of
being
surrounded
by
nature.
The
outdoor
light
fitting
gives
it
flexibility
of
usage.

Dimensions 24"
x
24"
x
24”-small 30"
x
30"
x30”
-medium 38"
x
38"
x38”
-big METAL
CASTING METAL
CASTING Achappam
Chandelier

Typical
forms
of
Kerala
utensils
have
been
recontextualized
into
light
installations.
The
shape
reference
for
this
chandelier
is
a
achapam,
which
is
a
thick
brass
mould
used
for
making
sweets,
popular
among
the
Muslim
community. The
top
layer
is
in
hand
cast
brass
and
reflects
the
casting
skills
of
the
craftsman.
The
bottom
layer
is
made
up
of
a
brass
plate
sandwiched
between
two
tiles
that
have
been
cut
in
the
shape
of
an
achapam.
The
spine
of
the
chandelier
is
Dimension inspired
by
the
traditional
temple
tops
of
Kerala.
28"
x
19"
x
19” Kindi
Lamp The
kindi
lamp
installation
has
evolved
from
the
rudimentary
displays
of
everyday
objects
found
at
the
famous
copper
market
of
Calicut
(Kozhikode).
The
kindi
is
a
kind
of
a
jug,
typical
to
Kerala,
used
for
various
religious
and
wellness
rituals.
The
simple
arrangement
of
a
row
of
kindies,
artistically
arranged
on
a
plank,
triggered
the
imagination
of
the
designers
and
resulted
in
this
horizontal
pendant
lamp
the
recreates
certain
aspects
of
the
everyday
life
in
Kerala.

Dimension 60"
x
20"
x
12” Uruli
Lamps

This
freestanding
uruli
lamp
is
inspired
by
the
shirodhara
uruli
shape,
famously
used
for
Ayurvedic
massages.
The
phu-
kolam,
literally
Flower
Floor
pattern'
mosaic
has
been
created
on
a
ceramic
tile.
The
uruli,
which
is
hand
crafted
in
brass,
is
fitted
with
an
internal
light
source.
The
metal
pole
serves
as
the
spine
and
is
inspired
by
the
kirtistambha
or
golden
tower
found
at
the
entry
point
of
temples
and
even
churches
in
Kerala.

Dimension 93"
x
27.5"
x
27.5" Vasantham
Lamps

The
Vasantham
lamp
celebrates
the
abundance
of
spring.
The
hanging
installation
is
like
a
riot
on
ones
senses,
bringing
together
the
craft
of
repousse
and
Kerala
leather
puppet
making.
The
installation
is
an
ensemble
of
copper
leaves,
accentuated
by
the
repousse
technique
and
the
traditional
flower
shaped
acchapams,
that
represent
nature
at
its
abundance.
The
leather
puppet
windows
depict
the
effect
of
the
spring
season
on
man
and
beast.
The
tile
Dimension mosaic
bench
placed
below
is
84"
x
35"
x
24” a
contemporary
representation
of
a
phu- kolam,
the
traditional
flower
mosaics
made
in
Kerala
homes
and
temples
for
religious
ceremonies
and
special
occasions.
The
pattern
has
guided
the
cutting
of
the
tiles,
Bench
Dimension which
have
then
been
fitted
96"
x
26"
x
18” together
like
a
jigsaw
puzzle
to
complete
the
design. DEEPAM
-
Copper
Market
Collection

This
collection
of
floor
and
pendant
lamps
have
evolved
from
the
rudimentary
displays
of
everyday
objects
found
at
the
famous
copper
markets
of
Calicut
(Kozhikode).
This
spectacular
market
is
a
treasure
trove
of
antique
vessels
used
for
various
occasions
and
ceremonies.
The
stalactite
type
stacks
of
these objects
became
the
inspiration
for
this
collection.
The
floor
lamp
is
made
of
six
modular
units
and
can
be
displayed
as
individual
pieces
or
as
a
totem.
The
pendant
lamps
are
a
hybrid
between
a
temple
top,
a
vase
and
an
urli
stacked
together
in
perfect
harmony. Dimension 24"
x
24"
x
82” Pendent
Lamps
-
Copper
Market
Collection

Dimension Dimension 30"
x
17"
x
17” 30"
x
17"
x
17” NETTIPATTAM
NETTIPATTAM
Nettipattam
Ceiling
Lights

Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions 28.5"
x
22.5"
x
22.5" 34"
x
27"
x
27” 22"
x
20"
x
20" K E R A L A
S U T R A

A
collection
of
Inimitable
lights

THANK YOU

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