Be a Conscious Consumer : Forgotten Barbie Doll of Tamilnadu

We came across a wooden doll ( Marapachi pommai ) and in process of knowing about Marapchi's history. We were amazed by the values and purpose of Marapachi dolls and how chronic capitalist market destroy a product which stands as identify of a culture.

Story of Marapachi Dolls:
Marapchi dolls were given as gift for newly married couple as gift  which in latter years were given to their childrens as toys for centuries in Tamil Nadu and other Dravidian regions . Childrens enjoy by giving wooden dolls adults roles . Marapachi is made out of reddish wood in earlier years.

Benefits of Marapachi  Dolls:   Marapachi is made out of reddish wood which has health benefits. In childhood days children were while playing with  Marapachi dolls they bite it so wooden dolls outer layer gets dissolved with saliva and swallow by kids which will help for better digestion also immunity.

In 1950's & 1960's rise of billion dollar doll market in western countries which started to slowly enter into Asia via China and India also supported by cinema medias showcasing Marapachi dolls as spiritual tool and dolls such as barbie the best friend of children.
Now a days mostly Marapachi dolls are kept in Bommai kolu during Navarathri days and also showpieces.

Follow Us : www.facebook.com/lumbertome

Discovered Creative Consumers - A way of passing cultural values to next generation

Last week we met a family who were in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu for vacation. We were discussing about art , environment and recycling products.During discussion we shared about Lumbertome​ and how we are trying to bring wood based business and art to limelight. Getting interested with our work they showed us a area near kitchen where vintage small wooden box which they collected and refurbished. Wooden box has traditional manthani , mini pickle jar & a book prepared by grandchildren detailing about different receipts that their grandmother made during here time we felt this is also a way to remember their ancestor and their values.

Creation of Grandma's Recipe Book  :
Grandchildren came up with idea to document in remembrance of their Grandma Kamala Radhakrishnan (a) Subbalakshmi (Chuppu ) and her diversified recipe. So each one of her children & grandchildren around world decided to make one recipe in similar way Chuppu Grandma prepared dishes. These recipe were first recorded and edited together as Chuppu's Kitchen digital book. Later they made a Chuppu's Kitchen Recipe Book and shared with every children and grandchildren family. Also with recipe book kitchen utensils used by Chuppu Grandma was also shared between families. So each family of Chuppu Grandma have book with utensils in kitchen and follow her ancestor food culture in regular life.

We were admiring the way consumers are evolving and bringing  creative ideas to make shelter into home also cultural values into their modern life.

More interesting stories about wood , handicraft & antique based producers & consumers in Lumbertome.

Visit : www.facebook.com/lumbertome