Artists create Taj, Facebook on coir

From Taj Mahal to Facebook, from deities to celebrities -- all of them have assumed a coir avatar, thanks to the imagination of Kerala artists who work on the 'golden yarn' as medium to give expression to their creative brilliance.
These are some of the elegant products on display at the International Coir Expo, which got underway here earlier this week.
Even politicians, film stars and historical figures emerged on coir format as the artists wove their vivid portraits on the humble fibre made of the coconut husk.
Ernakulam-based K R Raghu, one such artist, said since his schools days he had a fascination for the Taj.

"Giving a coir incarnation to 'the monument of love' had been my cherished dream," Raghu said, pointing at his work showcased at the expo.
Raghu's earlier stint as an illustration artist with a children's magazine helped him hone the skill, expertise and inspiration to come out with a coir creation of the Taj, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1653 in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Besides the Taj, he has put on display coir portraits of Lord Ganesh and Mother Teresa, crafted with elegance and finesse.
He has also displayed the portrait of Defence Minister A K Antony, who inaugurated on Saturday this edition of the coir expo, which he presented to the veteran politician.

Raghu said these portraits could serve as attractive gifts and mementos and could be marketed as decorative pieces abroad.
Portrait of Lord Ganesh costs Rs 23,000 while the Taj, made of natural husk, has a price tag of Rs 16,000.
Another artist, Majesh Ponnappan, has come out with a coir portrait of Lord Buddha in the meditative posture.
About the technique involved in creating the portrait of Lord Buddha, Ponnappan said he first copies the image through stencil and then uses coir.
"I have used six colours to create this portrait. There is a big demand for coir portraits of Buddha, Mona Lisa and Marilyn Monroe in Australia and European countries."

Travancore Mats and Matting Company has showcased a range of wall hangings and mats with motifs in tune with the needs of changing times.
Some of the mats carry the logo of Facebook, such as "Facebook", "Like us on Facebook", "Log out/Log in" and "Opening, Please Wait.