Houses of Tamil

HTemp:  35c

Rain:       8.9cm

`-$:         44.20

On the way to Mamallapuram, we stopped at Dakshinachitra, a sort of Williamsburg of the state of Tamil Nadu. It's a combination arts complex, historic compound and research center.  

The buildings -- or heritage houses -- represent the various regions of South India.  The 17 buildings were purchased, dismantled and rebuilt on the sprawling Dakshinachitra campus.

There were several craftspeople hawking their wares.  Here, a woman demonstrates a paper toy.  Exterior of a merchant house.

The real deal: madras fabric.  And don't you forget it.  Who invited Elvis Costello to the Turban demo?

Funky sculpture abounded.  Funkier sculpture could be found in the gift shop.  Who wants a fish slasher on their bookshelf?