Printing Block in TAMIL ( Wood Base )

Old printing block with wooden base in TAMIL

Murukku Ural (Tools to make Murukku)

"Murukku" is a common snack prepared during the festival seasons. This wooden tools used to make this savoury snack "murukku". Put a handful of the dough in a murukku ural (mould) with the murukku achu (hole disk) fixed with it and press the dough in hot oil. The fire must not be high. Thus finish all the dough.

Sometimes this mould will be use for making ommapodi or iddiyappom with changing the hole disk.

Ice Cream Maker

This wooden barrel with iron mechanism was used to make ice cream in early 20th century (1930's). This mechanism made in Sweden. Very interesting piece and rare to find in market. The barrel part made from teak wood, which is heavy to its size. When bought this, the seller demonstrate us the way to use. Still functioning!!!

Pallanguli

Pallanguli is played in the Southern India. Traditional game for India and favourite game for Tamil community. It is called the gambling game by men and favourite game for ladies.The board has 14 cups with each player controlling seven. In each cup six seeds are placed. To play the game, players lift the seeds and distribute one seed in each hole. If the seeds are finished, the player goes on to his opponent’s side of the board. If the seed fall into a cup with an empty cup beyond, the seeds in the cup beyond the empty hole are captured by the player and put into his store.These two pieces pallanguli was used in 1940's era and made from teak wood. It is very heavy for its size and available in multi sizes and made from different form of products, example made from brass, wood, marble and so on. Type of seeds used to play this game normally cowrie or seashell, tamarind seed or others.

Stylus " Ezuththaani"

This interesting item called as "Ezuththaani" or in English we called as stylus. This tool used to write in Palmyra leaves those days. Those days, this palmyra leaf used to be their notes. All important information or accounts will written in palmyra leaf. In Tamil we called "Olaichudi". Very rare item and age of this tool almost 80 to 90 years old. I bought this from an monk in India. Very valuable item and this item getting disappearing.
(Source from: Dr. Jaya Barathi)

Rose Wood Cash Box!!!

This cash box was made from rosewood and used by Chettiar community and others for their financial accounts. This cash box was allocated with few compartments for multiple usage. Nicely crafted and well designed. In every edges it was fixed with brass plated. Key for this cash box was not available and according to the person the key was nowhere to be found. We did posted another design earlier, but this design was specially custom made according to individual preference. Believed to be used in 1940's era.

Ivory Clog

Wooden clogs was originally from Baba Nyonya communities. In their language they called it as "terompah". Usually used to wear in the kitchen. We did posted a pair of wooden clogs with silver knob fixed at the front of each clogs, for the wearer to grip using the toes. This one was specially made for an individual and used "IVORY" instead with a silver knob. This person must be very wealthy to be able to afford to buy the ivory for his clogs. According to the seller, this was owned by a Chettiar and used by him. He mentioned this was used in 1920's era and some antique expert told us even this was used earlier. When we visited the "Peranakan Museum" in Singapore, we saw one pair of wooden clogs in their kitchen.Very rare items available under the antiques section. It can be considered as one of Museum piece.

Spice Container

Spice container made from teak wood and believe to be used in early 20th century. Allocated with 5 compartments to refill the spices. Handmade, well crafted and very well designed. The weight of this item is around 1 to 2 kg. Top cover can be twisted to open. Made in India. I still remember my grandmother used it in the kitchen back in India during my visit there. According to her, this is the 4th generation using it. Now this item belongs to us as a memorabilia.

Wooden Calender

This was made from teak wood and used as calender which can be adjustable manually. It is still functioning. According to my family members, this was purchased in 1952. Very interesting and heavy for its size.

Chettiar Petti Ver:2.0

This is another type of wooden box found in Teluk Intan. This version is the same as the other wooden box (chettiar petti), but this wooden box can open at the top part to place their accounts and cash with an attached drawer. It was made from teak wood and it is very heavy. This was made in the 1940's. The interesting part of it is that it comes with the key.

Cash & Account Box

I bought this box in Market Street, Penang. This box called as cash & account box. It was used by wealthy Indian people to keep their accounts and cash. It has two tiers, first layer with partition compartments to placed their stationery and the second layer to put their cash and accounts statements. Made from teak wood and there is a lock for it.

Murukku Maker "Murukku Ural"

The tools in the picture here was used to make murukku in conjunction with their Tamil New Year festival called "Diwali Celebration". It was made from brass and followed by wooden ones. In this murukku tools, it is equipped with different types of mould (in the second picture) to make murukku. Those days, murukku was made by hand. Later on, they became more concerned with hygiene and they finally invented this kitchen wares. In the current trend, hardly people use this type of murukku making tool as it is used to press the dough every time they refill it. The latest tool was introduced is the type which can be used easily and it is also convenient. This murukku making tool was originated from South India (Tamil Nadu) and this Tamil snack is made from rice flour. To experience the making of murukku, you can visit Little India in Penang. Some of the murukku maker is in my collection with Tamil inscription on it.

Goldsmith Platfrom

This wooden platform or called "Aasari Petti" in Tamil language was used by a goldsmith or "Pathar" in Tamil language to do design or shape the gold into lady's accessories. Every morning after they take their bath and complete their daily prayer, they will start their work. This platform also can consider as an important tools and it must be kept clean. They believe before starting their work daily, this platform must be worshipped then only start working on their job.

I bought this in Penang from a goldsmith and all the tools I got from another goldsmith who went back to India. No one currently no longer using this designing platform because they can't cope to cross their legs every time they sit cross legged on the floor. Current practice is that they now change to the table type where they sit using a chair. To have a personal experience in this, you may want to visit Little India (Market Street) Penang.

Cash Box...."Kalla Petti"

In those days, cash box was made from teak wood and it is very heavy. This cash box includes a single drawer and a key hole to lock. The key was nowhere to be found. It was used in 50's - 60's era or even earlier to keep their cash in this box. Normally we see wooden cash box in a small shop which attached next to the building. In Tamil language we called as "Ottu Kadai". This kind of shops is getting lesser. There are a few shops like this still available in Penang. One of the shop can be seen along Dato Keramat Road, beside Ricky Tailor Shop in Penang.

Wooden Table

This two small wooden tables (kai petti) was made from teak wood and it was hand made. The Chettier community use this tables to write their daily accounts. They would sit on the floor cross legged, sitting along a corridor at their respective homes or a where they run their daily business. The work of a Chettier is to give services to the public to their daily accounts and it also for them to earn for a living.

The age of this table is estimated at least 70 to 80 years old. These two table has their family name inscribed on it.

Walking Frame for toddlers

This is a hand made teak wood walking frame (nadai vandhi) for toddler to support. In South India, wealthy families will custom made according to their required design and it was handed down to later generations.

This frame was purchased from a family in Ipoh which was being used in 1930's. There are no sign of nails used and everything was fixed by wooden lock (LEGO concept). It can be dismantled peace by peace. The frame had been inscribed with the name of the owner's family name.

Wooden Clog

This is a pair of wooden clogs, which was being used around early 19th century or even earlier than that. The size of this clogs are big which means the people back then have bigger and stronger feet. The toe lock was made from silver and it was taken to confirmed by a silver smith.

The clogs were originated from the Baba Nyonya culture and it was adapted by the Indians. This clog indicates that it was from a wealthy individual. To proof that, the silver toe lock. The condition of this pair of clog is in good condition. It was bought in Penang from an antique seller. There is no indication of markings on it.

Plain Coconut Scraper

This is one the most simplest design of the coconut scraper.

In comparison with the previous Thuruvamanai is that the difference of it that this coconut scraper does not have any detailed artistic work. It symbolizes the status of a Tamil family. If it's plain, it shows the family is not wealthy. If it has detailed engravings, flowery design, it means that it came from a wealthy family.

Coconut Scraper

“Thuruvamanai” is what we call it in Tamil. It was being used specially in the kitchen to scrap coconut husk, and it is one of the most very important kitchen tool in the Tamil community kitchen. It was first being used in the early 1920's. Most curries in Tamil cooking will use coconut as part of the ingredient in the curry. It was made out from teak wood and it is very heavy.

The surrounding of the Thuruvamanai shows the artistic design. Bought from an antique shop in Penang.