TranslateSeashell craft is a coastal cottage industry along Tamil Nadu's long shoreline, concentrated in Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi and Mamallapuram. Shells collected from the coast are cleaned, cut and assembled into lamps, wall hangings, mirror frames, jewellery and small figures, sold largely to visitors at pilgrimage and beach towns.
Origin district
Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu
Materials
Assorted sea shells, adhesive, wire, wooden and cane frames
Typical uses
Decorative items, lamps, jewellery, curtains, souvenirs
Where to buy
Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and Mamallapuram shell markets
Shells are sorted by size, shape and colour, then cleaned and sometimes ground or cut to shape. Craftspeople assemble them onto frames or thread them onto wire and string, working out the design by eye. Larger items such as lamps and mirror frames use a wooden or cane base covered in overlapping shells.
Most of the work is done in family units, and finished pieces are sold directly at beach and temple-town markets.
Rameswaram and Kanyakumari, both major pilgrimage centres on the coast, developed the largest shell markets because of the constant flow of visitors. The Gulf of Mannar coast is a rich shell habitat, though it is also a protected marine biosphere reserve, and certain species including conch and protected molluscs cannot legally be collected or sold.
The shell markets at Rameswaram near the Ramanathaswamy temple and at Kanyakumari near the shore are the largest. Mamallapuram, Thoothukudi and Poompuhar also have shell stalls. Prices are negotiable and quality varies considerably, so look closely at the finish before buying.
