Page 580 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

578  SOUTH INDIA

Shopping & Entertainment also sells handicrafts, though
in Chennai hand-embroidered linen and
nightwear are their main
specialities. Cane and Bamboo
As the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai has an excellent selection is another interesting little shop
of handicrafts and handwoven textiles from the state. From with an assortment of gift
shimmering silks in glowing colours and finely woven cottons to items and souvenirs.
jewellery and replicas of Chola bronzes, the choice is enormous. Apparao Galleries not
The city’s shopping centres include upmarket department only stocks paintings by
contemporary Indian artists,
stores, malls and trendy boutiques, as well as the vibrant local but also has an accessory shop
bazaars that sell a wide range of merchandise. Chennai is for gifts and home products.
also the cultural capital of South India, where performances Their boutique sells trendy
of classical dance and music take place throughout the year. designer-wear.
The height of the cultural season is from mid-December to mid- Naturally Auroville spe cializes
January, when the city hosts the prestigious Marghazhi Festival. in natural products made in
the Puducherry Ashram and
Auroville (see pp590–93). The
merchandise includes pottery,
Shops and Markets silverware and jewellery are handmade paper, perfumed
The best shopping in Chennai available at Sukhra and Amethyst. candles, incense sticks and
can be found in the more Genuine antiques are hard aroma therapy oils and lotions.
traditional areas, such as Panagal to find. However, Rani Arts & Chennai is also a good place
Park, Pondy and Burma bazaars, Teak stocks copies of old to shop for handcrafted musical
and the lanes around the temple artifacts, including brass and instruments, such as the violin,
at Mylapore. These were small metal images and objects, mridangam and veena. While
street markets that have now Tanjore (Thanjavur) paintings these are found at many outlets
grown into mini shopping malls, (see p601) and lacquerware. in the city, the best selections
where everything is available at are avail able at Musee Musicals
bargain prices. Chennai’s oldest Textiles and Saris and Sapthaswara Music Store.
department store, Spencer’s, The city also has a number of
partially burned down in the Tamil Nadu is renowned for excellent bookshops. Of these,
1980s, and has now been rebuilt the richness and variety of its the oldest and most well-
as a modern mall. It houses shops silk and cotton textiles, a good stocked is Higginbotham’s.
selling merchandise as varied selection of which is available in Established in 1844, it is
as groceries and imported Swiss Chennai. Radha Silks, Kumaran now a chain with more than
watches. Next door is the city’s Silks and Sundari Silks are 20 branches across the South
oldest landmark, VTI (Victoria famous all over India for their Indian states.
Technical Institute), where wonderful range of fabrics and
handi crafts and a range of silk saris from Kanchipuram Entertainment Guides,
good-quality linen are sold. This (see p587). Nalli’s, a huge
charitable organization supports multistoreyed shop, has the Tickets and Venues
South Indian Christian missions widest range of Kanchipuram Announcements of
that specialize in exquisite saris, and is always packed with performances of Carnatic
hand embroidery. local shoppers, particularly music (see p599) and classical
Most shops are open during the festival and wedding dance such as Bharat Natyam
Monday to Friday, from 9:30am seasons. Other outlets are Man (see p33), appear regularly in
to 7pm. Bazaars, however, keep Mandir and Shilpi, a small the entertainment columns
more flexible hours. boutique that sells saris and of local newspapers. The city
home furnishings. Fabindia too, guides Hallo! Madras and
stocks furnishings and ready- Chennai This Fortnight list
Jewellery and Antiques
made garments. A good variety entertainment venues and
The best place for high-quality of textiles can be found at information on tickets.
traditional South Indian gold Co-optex, the large Tamil Performances of music and
jewellery is Vummidi Bangaru Nadu Cooperative of Textiles dance are held throughout the
Jewellers. They also stock showroom. This pioneering year. However, the peak season
excellent reproductions of society has encouraged the is from 15 December to
the gem-encrusted costume revival of handlooms. 15 January, when the Chennai
jewellery worn by classical Festival, organized by the
dancers. Prince Jewellery, in Handicrafts and Gifts city’s sabhas (cultural societies),
Panagal Park, has jewellery takes place. During this period
from Kerala and also specializes A fine selection of handicrafts more than 500 concerts are
in lightweight gold ornaments. can be found at Poompuhar, the held. The most prestigious
Modern and traditional Tamil Nadu State Emporium. VTI cultural centre is the Music

578-579_EW_India.indd 578 26/04/17 11:48 am
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Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm