The Poompuhar Handicrafts
showroom is one of the highlights on  Big
Bazaar Street and is a common reference point for commuters in
Coimbatore. Poompuhar is the brand name of the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts
Development Corporation Ltd. (TNHDC), which is a Government of
Tamil Nadu undertaking. The motto of this public sector undertaking
is “to promote the ancient and dying arts, by marketing the products
of craftsmen from all over Tamil Nadu, through showrooms and exhibitions”.
Poompuhar Handicrafts on Big Bazaar Street, is spread over 7,000 square
feet, with just the showroom space alone being over 3,600 square feet.
V Subbaiyan, Manager of the showroom, says, “We have all
crafts of Tamil Nadu, namely Bronze icons, Brass lamps, Thanjavur
Art plates and Thanjavur paintings. The Bronze icons are from Swamymalai
in Kumbakonam, Brass lamps from Nachiar Koil, Vahai Kulam, Madurai
Ayikudi and Thenkasi. Sandalwood and countrywood carvings are from
Kallakurichi. Stone carvings are from Mahabalipuram where we have
a training centre.”
Responding to a question on the period of time taken to complete a
piece of work, he said, “One piece in stone may take two months,
while a bronze piece may take even three months. The time cycle depends
on the craft, size and material being used".
 “It
is only from 1973 that we have been functioning under the brand name
of Poompuhar. Earlier, we were part of the Tamil Nadu Government’s
Industrial Department. When the Handicrafts department was created
as a separate Corporation, Poompuhar came into existence, after which
we set up showrooms in major towns and cities of Tamil Nadu. We are
one of the few organisations in India who have our own workshop.
We can manufacture any kind of design that our customer wants".
Poompuhar also does several temple orders and the products are also
marketed through the statewide showrooms and regular exhibitions.
Some of the special orders for temples include the temple car for
Marudhumalai. For this temple car, silver plating was done on top
of the woodcarving. At Erode, a golden chariot was made.
 Poompuhar
also has handloom products from other states like Lucknow Chicken
stitch, sarees and churidhars from Gujarat, some of the famous varieties
of Andhra cottons like Vekatagiri, Mangalagiri and Uppada.
Address: The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd.,
(A Govt. of Tamil Nadu Undertaking), Poompuhar Sales Showroom, 874,
Big Bazaar Street, Coimbatore 641 001.
Phone: 391 055
Author: Joseph Pradeep Raj
Photographs: Leslee Lazar |
