Social media is giving a boost to the artisans of Kinnal and their wooden dolls
Updated:
Updated:
February 05, 2021 12:57 IST
Kinnal art, awarded a GI tag in 2012, is enjoying a resurgence powered by an artisan’s Instagram page
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Kinnal art, awarded a GI tag in 2012, is enjoying a resurgence powered by an artisan’s Instagram page
Santoshkumar Chitragar, 28, an artisan from Kinnal (also spelt Kinhal) in Karnataka is a busy man these days. When he’s not working in his studio crafting the exquisite Kinnal dolls, he is busy closing orders on Instagram, attending conference calls with clients, getting packages shipped or organising training programmes for his fellow craftsmen. It’s a stark contrast to his routine a year ago, and Santosh is enjoying every bit of it.
Courtyard houses replete with stone pillars, red oxide flooring, kolam (rangoli) on the floor, and the white and red Iyengar namam firmly painted on the ancient-looking but sturdy main doors. Time seems to be an illusion as one takes a stroll through the deserted streets of Melukote.
An air of antiquity, oodles of rustic charm and heritage vibes are unmissable when you visit this quaint hilltop town, about 150 km from Bengaluru. Also spelt Melkote and known as Thirunarayanapuram, the town is synonymous with the Cheluvanarayana Swamy and the Yoga Narasimha Swamy temples. But beyond this, Melukote offers an eclectic mix of sights spanning history, culture, craft and tradition.