A remarkable event took place in Chennai on 23 October 2024: the formal inauguration of a Kodava Ainmane, which was transported from Arapattu village and recreated at the DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum. This museum, promoted by Madras Craft Foundation, is located along the route to Mahabalipuram on the East Coast Road (ECR). DakshinaChitra, envisioned by Dr Deborah Thiagarajan, an American settled in Chennai, serves as one of India’s premier open-air living museums.
DakshinaChitra, meaning a ‘picture of the south,’ is a cultural centre that showcases the heritage, art, architecture, crafts, and performing arts of southern India. One of the museum’s standout features is the recreation of centuries-old heritage homes acquired from the five South Indian states. Nineteen heritage homes have been meticulously reconstructed, returning them to their former glory within the sprawling 10-acre site.
The Kodava Ainmane is the latest addition to this collection of heritage homes. Dr Deborah Thiagarajan acquired the Ainmane, originally built in the 1850s, from one branch of the Kodira family after the okka decided to renovate and consolidate their main Ainmane. Every wooden and stone piece used in the construction was carefully dismantled, marked, numbered, and transported from Arapattu to DakshinaChitra. Precise measurements of individual rooms and the foundation were taken both before and after dismantling.
At DakshinaChitra, local artisans handled the masonry, brickwork, and tile work. The wooden components were assembled and incorporated into the building to recreate the original Ainmane. Some of the damaged wood works were replicated to match the original pieces, ensuring that the authenticity of the structure was preserved.
The double-storeyed Ainmane involved a great deal of wooden components. The master masons and carpenters have done an excellent job of bringing the building to its original glory. The carved doors, windows, and pillars have been exquisitely refurbished and recreated.
Visitors can explore period artifacts, utensils, mannequins in traditional attire, vintage photographs, and more. A library with books on Coorg has been established in one of the rooms. I have made a small contribution by way of a video narrating the history of Coorg. This relocated Ainmane will be a treasure trove for those who wish to conduct future research.
This project has been actively facilitated by Mrs Rathi Vinay Jha IAS who served as secretary to the government of India in the Ministry of Tourism. Besides being a Life Trustee of Madras Craft Foundation, Mrs Jha is also the Founder Trustee of Sandooka – Virtual Museum of Kodava Culture,wherein a great deal of information has been collated and this repository continues to grow.
The website (www.sandookamuseum.org) was launched in December 2023. The knowledge bank established at Sandookahas supported the Kodava Museum at Dakshina Chitra.
Mobis India Foundation, the CSR wing of Hyundai Motors extended financial support to the project.
By: C.P. Belliappa
