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Lucky leaf expo reviews11/29/2023 ![]() The guy who weaves silk wasn't interested in explaining anything at all. Regardless of how kids fare (hey you cant become an expert in any art in a day), folks and docents in the US are so encouraging. I was contrasting this with how a similar concept would have looked in the US. When my kid couldnt get her pot to come out well, she got screamed at by the potter, making her lose confidence and she didnt want to continue doing this. However the folks who help kids practice the arts (like the potter, toy making lady etc) could have been more friendly. My trip to dakshin chitra was pretty good. You must see – the whole place has an ambience of art and culture and one will be sure to be drowned in it for the next couple of hours. Basically, belonging to Delhi, I had the opportunity to see the Structural Architecture of the entire South India (Just as the Name of the place tells us) along the east coastal regions of Tamilnadu. Added to this, Dakshinachitra also exhibited various art forms in its theater and just near the theater, a place under the shade of a tree had small artisans making exquisite things that were really good and in fact I bought some to take back to Delhi. It also showed through paintings how the people of these places would dress. The entire house really looked as if some people really lived there. I was amazed that the houses not only had beautiful old structures and pieces of excellent carvings and art, they also had the old vessels, their furniture displayed. ![]() It seems this place had taken a long time to open and had put in several efforts to literally transport old houses from the various areas of Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra and Kerala. Took the tickets and was really enamored by the simplicity but extremely exquisite display of Structural Engineering of south Indian homes. I asked my driver to stop by and we went in. ![]() And felt may be this place reflects the entire South of India and its culture. The name itself had something very special. So I went along the ECR, a wonderful road and just after the Toll Gate I saw a place called Dakshinachitra. Many of my friends’ always had a special place in their heart for Chennai. I wanted to see something really exquisite that would highlight the real Chennai and the real love for Chennai. I was aware of temples and all the other usual places that one would visit, but that was not just what I had been looking for. During the weekends, I wanted go out and visit places of interest and see how this city was known to be the center of culture and tradition. Recently, I had been to Chennai one of the most beautiful cities of India on a project and had stayed there for a month or so. I really enjoyed visiting and wished there were more places like this to visit. This is on the way to Mahabilibrum so it could be a side trip on your way there or back. There is a drivers rest area so you can take your time visiting. Getting to Dakshinachitra may require a tour bus, or like me, hire a car and driver. The video gives a great introduction and explains a lot about the house styles and layouts. Be sure to start in the big hall at the entrance where there is a video in English. There is water and other drinks available in the center of the site and a small restaurant if you are hungry. ![]() Crafts were available for sale at very reasonable prices. Scattered among the houses were demonstrations of crafts such as rice grinding, palm leaf writing, weaving, candle making, pottery, basket weaving and more. The houses are well maintained and visitors can walk through and get an excellent idea of what life was like a hundred or more years ago. The site was nicely landscaped and peaceful. The grounds were very well laid out and clean. It was a very educational site showing houses and examples of lifestyles for southern India. The site was well laid out, had lots of good information in both Tamil and English. Having been very disappointed in the Government Museum in Chennai, I approached this place with low expectations.
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