Madurai replicating history, bit by bit

Madurai is an historic city and replicating antiques is good business during the tourist season, as TOI finds out
With the cool months of winter setting in, Madurai is at its peak to welcome tourists to the city. Gopalan, a tour operator, says, “Around the Meenakshi Amman temple and also in various other parts of the city, tourists can be spotted in open rickshaws trying to get a feel of the local art works and textiles.Interestingly, the rickshawalas function as their guides and some of them can communicate with foreign visitors in their own language very effectively!”
Tourist season means a peak in sales of artefacts and some people who are gearing up to greet this influx of tourists are vendors of replicas of antiques. Replicas are a big hit with tourists as they pick them up as souvenirs of their visit — souvenires that are easy to carry and not so expensive.
Talking about the most popular antiques that are popular among tourists, Gopalan says, “The royal swords of the Pandya kings, Paavai Vilakku, Yaali, different postures of snakes and fighting bulls made of brass metal — these are popular. Sometimes, these can be seen in silver, teakwood and rosewood. Every piece depicts an important moment in the history of Madurai. The snakes for instance are an indicator of snake worship that is carried out in our part of the country. The Paavai Vilakku is still used in every house. The brass statue of fighting bulls depicts the culture of Jallikattu that was encouraged in those times.”
Sulaimaan, a vendore of antique replicas, says, “The products are made in small cottage industries located in and around the city, who are tied up with merchants around the temple area. When tourists visit, they want to take back some good memories of their stay.
When they come across these replicas, they spend time listening to the story behind each and every artefact or carving, and then select a piece that has a history that interests them. These replicas are sold at affordable prices (starting from Rs 500), which depends on the type of metal used in the sculpture. The replicas are also in demand among local Maduraiites!”
The sculpted metal works are dipped in chemicals and some are brushed with appropriate paints to give them that ‘antique’ look and feel.
Kim Louis, a French tourist says, “This is my second visit to Madurai. During my first visit, I bought some of these replicas from the shops located around the circumference of the temple. My friends loved those pieces and they requested me to get similar pieces on my next trip to this city. During this trip, I spent a day browsing through these artworks and spotted new arrivals in the same shops. I never get tired of hearing the stories related to these pieces. The quality of these replicas are very good and they truly represent the culture of Madurai.”
Apart from the temple and other major tourist attractions in the city, these antique replicas seem to be another reason for the city’s popularity with tourists!