Sudha Chandrashekar started collecting old door frames, pillars, cradles and beams way back in 1989, as a hobby. Restoring these pieces, and creating new pieces from old wood — her creations were soon the talk of the town. And her hobby percolated into a full-time commitment through a store named Dakshini. But Sudha’s sudden demise prompted her husband Chandrashekhar and daughter Preetha to carry on this unique passion.  The old Chettinad houses famed for the intricate engraving on doors, beams and furniture were discarded as scrap. However, these pieces are becoming rare and the villagers who discarded the old wood are now aware of the market demand. So, the prices have naturally gone higher. “It’s the middle-man who is making the money and not the owners and restorers,” asserts Preetha, who finds it exciting to create objects from discarded teak or rosewood.  She observes that previously it was the older generation that sought the old pieces. But now it’s the NRIs and the younger generation, who are looking to re-establish their roots, by picking up antique pieces.
To which, Chandrashekar adds, “Antiques should be available to everyone. Anyone who crosses our threshold is a friend and not a customer.
Our objective is to give him what he is looking for.” Dakshini has a great choice of doors with intricate carving, engraved panels with Lord Krishna on one and Lord Shiva on the other, accompanied with carvings of birds and flowers.
It’s not just doors and beams that cram the spacious store. Boxes with sliding lids used for storing Vibhuti, exquisite jewellery chests in teak, interesting wrought iron works like banisters of balconies, coffee-tables share the space too. A writing desk with carved pigeon holes draws attention, as do the reprints of Raja Ravi Verma and Tanjore paintings that adorn the walls. Look out for the rosewood laundry cabinet, a dresser with half mirror, brass statuettes, bowls, a gramophone with a copper horn that sits on a reconstructed table with legs made from the carved door frames.
The variegated forms have a trendy yet traditional look, suitable to add aesthetics for both small and large houses. Dakshini is located at 236, 2nd Main, Stage II, Domlur.