As the festive season descends upon us, we bring you a series of art photographs featuring twelve objects deeply rooted in the landscape of South India. Inherited from our ancestors, these objects are integral to celebrations and customs; symbols of tradition and of the deep emotional bonds that connect us to our past. As they are handed down through the generations, becoming woven with memories and emotions, these seemingly inanimate objects transform into ‘Artefacts of Affection’.

To represent the twelve objects, we found inspiration in the concepts of sacred geometry (rooted in ancient Greek astronomy) and the golden ratio. These ideas observe the forms that occur across nature and spiritual symbolism, with a focus on balance and symmetry. We drew inspiration from the sensibilities of artists and experts have worked extensively with these concepts, including S.H. Raza, Mark Rothko, Lazar Vozarevic, Bobby Clark, Regina Giménez, and British astronomer Warren De La Rue.

With this as the starting point, we began to collaborate with creative director and photographer Pranoy Sarkar to experiment with ways of representing the objects within installations inspired by the mandala form. Drawing on the concepts of sacred geometry we used three basic shapes: the circle, the triangle and the square. We also began to consider the textures of our festive traditions; the sensory experience of the artefacts as they are used in ceremonies. Many of these textures come from the ritual use of elements like kumkum, manjal, vibhuti and rice powder. And from these four elements came the essential colours that formed the palette of our images – red, turmeric yellow, ash grey and white, highlighted with elements of gold.

As a physical and symbolic backdrop, we recreated a traditional temple floor: textured stone surfaces in tones of dark grey. We imagined the soft light of the early morning or evening filtering through; casting long shadows to accentuate the colours and forms of the objects in the spotlight.

This season of celebration, we are dusting off our heirlooms and rediscovering these Artefacts of Affection that have been handed down to us as keepers of memory and meaning…

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Malar

Fresh flowers are synonymous with daily ritual and worship in South India. An early morning visit to the market is incomplete without picking brightly hued and fragrant flowers sold by women who deftly braid the blooms into garlands.
Strings of sweet-smelling mallipoo (jasmine) are ubiquitous, woven into women’s hair and adorning the altars of deities. Samanthipoo or marigolds in vibrant shades of yellow and orange are strung into joyful garlands that decorate doorways and are placed as offerings in puja thalis. Roja or roses, with their delicate petals, are universal symbols of devotion and beauty.
No festival is complete without these beloved traditional flowers –as part of beauty rituals that bring grandmothers closer to their granddaughters and as intricate floral décor that signify blessings of joy and love.

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Yezhakolam

The sight of a freshly drawn yezhakolam on the threshold of a house at dawn is an unmistakable sign that you are in South India. A beloved tradition, kolams have become a distinctive part of our cultural identity. Among the many things that a woman inherits from her mother and grandmothers are these intricate geometric designs and the skill required to draw them by hand. Believed to welcome prosperity into the household, kolams also signify generosity, as the rice powder with which they are drawn attracts ants and birds. On festive and special occasions, drawing kolams becomes a joyful communal activity as the designs grow more elaborate.
The kolam is born from the most elemental forms – dots and lines – coming together in a beautiful symmetry. The delicate designs in the four corners of the more severe geometric installation in our image recall the more familiar curved shapes of the kolam, framed by dots of kumkum.
Each morning, a brand new kolam is drawn, only to be erased the following day: a reminder, perhaps, of how fleeting our lives are, but also perhaps, a new day and a chance for new beginnings.

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Kalayam

Deeply entwined with memories of Deepavali and other festivals, ganga snanam is the early morning bathing ritual that symbolises the cleansing of the spirit in the sacred river. Traditional lotas or kalayam (vessels) are the central objects used in this ritual cleansing – objects we might take for granted but are essential, functional and deeply symbolic of service and memory.Growing up in a South Indian home, the ganga snanam marked the start of an exciting day filled with ceremonies and celebrations. Traditionally, the ritual begins with an oil massage, followed by a warm bath using kadalai maavu to absorb the oil, deep cleanse and nourish the skin.Like many of the traditions and objects we inherit, the ganga snanam has turned into a symbol of nostalgia; a ritual that connects the past and the present. Our still-life image captures the geometry and textures of the kalayam, the vessels that are passed down from one generation to the next.

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Ammikal

The ammikal – South India’s traditional stone grinder – is closely tied to the region’s culinary heritage. For many of us, it is an object of nostalgia, evoking cherished memories of childhood, of meals lovingly prepared by our grandmothers. The fragrance of fresh spices ground on the ammikal can transport us to the heart of a South Indian home. The kitchen is a bustling centre of activity, especially as preparations are made for festive feasts. The stone grinder might have been replaced by more modern appliances, but it remains a beloved symbol of tradition and a uniquely sensory experience – from the primal rhythm of the stone’s movement, to the rich aromas of spices and herbs that are released in the process.

The textured, geometric designs on the flat base of the ammikal serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. The object lends itself beautifully to our still-life imagery – the concentric circles of its design reflecting the cyclical nature of life and the continuity of tradition.

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Sambrani

For people who grew up in South India, the fragrance of sambrani – an aromatic resin – is the fragrance of home. The woody aroma takes you back in time, bringing to mind vivid memories of the past.

Sambrani or dhoop is believed to cleanse the air, ward off evil spirits and create an atmosphere of meditative calm – for daily as well as festive rituals. According to Ayurvedic traditions, it has powerful antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

Traditionally, sambrani is sprinkled over glowing hot coals in a brass holder and carried from room to room to release its smoke. On the morning of Deepavali, women of the house filter the smoke through a koodai (cane basket) to dry their hair, leaving it warm and fragrant.

The traditional brass holder for sambrani becomes the object of inheritance and emotion in our visuals, framed within dramatic geometric forms.

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Manvilakku

The diya is, perhaps, the object most strongly tied to memories of Deepavali. While these delicate oil lamps light up other festive and auspicious occasions too, they have become symbolic of the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness – a triumph that Deepavali celebrates. The lighting of terracotta diyas, which are also called manvilakku, is a meditative ritual. Children and adults alike delight in the beauty of the diya’s festive glow.
Diyas crafted from terracotta – a sustainable material – have been used for centuries and the tradition continues today. There is a sense of circularity in this delightful little object of affection; not just in its shape but in the fact that it eventually returns to the earth, leaving no trace. This echoes the geometry and circularity of the mandala, and is captured beautifully in the accompanying artwork.

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Kinnam

In South India, the ritual of oiling the hair is not just about nourishment and beauty, but also about nurturing connections. The practice evokes memories of time spent with a beloved parent or grandparent in the quiet of an early morning – a time to share laughter and stories. Festive mornings begin with a ritual head massage, bringing members of a family together before celebrations begin in earnest.
Drawing from Ayurvedic traditions, hair oil is often prepared at home, infusing gingelly or coconut oil with fresh ginger, peppercorns and other ingredients believed to soothe the scalp and restore the health of the hair. Like many of the objects and traditions we inherit, every family might have its own version of this hair oil; a secret recipe that is handed down through the generations. In the imagery, we represent the kinnams or bowls of brass and copper, that are traditionally used to infuse and warm the oil for this ritual.

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Pathiram

The bright and bold flavours of Tamil cuisine are traditionally brought to life in paathirams or vessels and utensils crafted from brass. Despite the conveniences of modern cookware, many households still treasure the brass pots and pans that they inherited from their parents. Besides the nutritional benefits of cooking in materials like brass and bronze, these objects also evoke nostalgia for the past, reminding us of meals from our childhood even as we use the same vessels to prepare meals for our loved ones. They become heirlooms, holding within them the memories and flavours of our family’s most cherished recipes. These paathirams also transition effortlessly from cookware to serve-ware, at once durable, good for health and aesthetically beautiful.
The festive season is the perfect time to bring out these exquisite antiques, to hold the bakshanam, traditional sweets and savouries, for the celebrations.

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Thulasi

The thulasi or holy basil plant is a living object of faith and memory. A traditional South Indian home had a central courtyard, in the middle of which lived the family’s beloved thulasi plant, contained in an altar-like structure known as the thulasi madam. Believed to be a manifestation of Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, this little plant continues to be a central object of reverence, bringing the family together around it in prayer during festivals and celebrations.
In Ayurveda, thulasi is prized for its many medicinal properties – as a salve for the skin, to calm an anxious mind, as well as to treat respiratory and other ailments. In the kitchen, thulasi is often infused into herbal teas to boost immunity, while its essential oil has an uplifting fragrance.

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Pottu

For many, the pottu or bindi (from the word ‘bindu’ meaning dot) is part of a daily ritual that began in childhood. It is the memory of our mothers gently applying a pottu to our foreheads before going to school; a moment of connection and culture. Over time, it became tied to identity; a link to our South Indian heritage and roots.
Worn at the centre of the forehead – which is believed to be the seat of wisdom – the pottu can be seen as a spiritual connection with the divine. It is also worn as a statement of personal style, representing a distinctly Indian aesthetic. In fashion and pop culture, the pottu has taken on cult status, becoming an iconic cultural marker.
The perfect finishing touch to a crisp new kanjivaram sari on the morning of Deepavali, the pottu is an object with deep emotional and cultural symbolism. Its perfectly circular shape beautifully reflects our exploration of the mandala form and its geometry.

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Puthu Podavai

There is a unique thrill associated with dressing in puthu podavai or new clothes on the morning of a festival. Vibrant and crisp new silks – saris, pavadais, veshtis – are woven with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the special day ahead. The new clothes mark a fresh start; a time to shed old habits and negativity, and to embrace new beginnings with all their possibilities.

The kanjivaram sari is a potent symbol in South India; synonymous with celebration, memory and tradition. Each sari is an heirloom-in-the-making; an object that will be handed down through the generations, carrying memories and emotions in their weaves. The kanjivaram, with its inherent geometry and structural severity, lends itself beautifully to our still-life imagery which draws inspiration from ideas of sacred geometry. 

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Nilavilakku

Every festive occasion and auspicious event in South India begins with the lighting of the nilavilakku or kuthuvilakku, the traditional brass standing lamp, and our series ends with a tribute to this auspicious marker of beginnings. This ancient ritual represents the igniting of knowledge, prosperity and light, to dispel darkness and ignorance. The nilavilakku takes different forms, and often features the annam or swan, a motif of spiritual wisdom and divine grace. A symbol of sacred beginnings, the nilavilakku is also tied to some of the most joyful memories and occasions. It is an object that brings families together in celebration – for wedding ceremonies, Deepavali rituals and other festive occasions.

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This series has taken us on a journey of twelve everyday objects of South India, that pass down from one generation of a family to the next. With every use, these objects are woven with memories and emotions; threads that tie us to our past. The festive season is a time for ceremonies and traditions; the perfect time to celebrate these Artefacts of Affection.

This photo series features on our socials as part of our 2024 Deepavali campaign, and will also be the focus of our 2025 annual planner.

Ekavalli and Kanakavalli would like to thank the incredible project contributors and co-authors –

Concept & Story: Kanakavalli
Creative direction: Kanakavalli and Pranoy Sarkar
Photographer: Pranoy Sarkar
Art+Props: Abhishek Kanade, Elements Productions and additional prop support by Ahalya
Production: Elements Production

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