Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Exhibition of antiques spices up Onam fete

Special Correspondent

RARE ITEMS: Actor Murali and V. Sivankutty, MLA, at an exhibition of antiques in the capital city. Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: From the outside, there is nothing to distinguish it from any one of the exhibitions and fairs that have sprung up all over the city for Onam. But one look inside the stall and the difference becomes clear.

There are no readymade garments, gleaming electronic gadgets or multimedia equipment. Arranged in a neat row are antiques and curios from the past.

The Onam celebrations organised by Vanithasahithi, Balasangham and Devaki Warrier Memorial Library strike a different note. The stall set up by the three organisations at the Vanchiyoor junction tries to capture the Onam spirit by displaying a rich collection of household antiques, many of them handed down in the family over the generations.

An old gramophone located near the entrance to the stall is the first exhibit to grab the visitors' attention. Near it, is a well-used veena, apparently, a family heirloom. A collection of stones from the Ajanta-Ellora caves, an elephant's tooth, which is believed to cure toothache, and a set of commemorative coins is also featured.

A heavy metal cycle light that uses a lighted wick and a wooden urn made from the root of a jackfruit tree are the other attractions. Antique kitchen utensils and equipment of all shapes and sizes, steel pens with ink pots, palm leaf manuscripts and writing quills and petromax lanterns and table lamps take the viewer on a trip down the ages. Actor Murali inaugurated the event. V. Sivankutty MLA was present.

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