Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 13/12/2022: An image of a virtual gallery viewers experience set up by Poompuhar. Photo: Special layout. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A stone 10 feet high yazhi appears in front of me and I try to touch it. But someone nearby nudges me forward and I pull the trigger on the controller in my hand. Other works of art appear in front of me: This is not a game zone. This is a virtual world created by Poompuhar, the retail arm of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, to showcase approximately 700 collectibles to potential customers.
Recently introduced in Coimbatore, it is a platform for artisans and craftsmen that offers an experience of harmonious convergence of tradition and technology.
I pass shelves of brass lamps, wooden trays and bowls, beaded jewelry, metal wall hangings and more and enter a room filled with bronze statues and panchalogha. Amidst the statues, which have been handcrafted by skilled craftsmen, are a laptop, headset, controllers and a scaling camera. I put on the headgear and press the controllers to zoom into a virtual world that displays metal, wood, stone, and miscellaneous artwork in outdoor and indoor exhibit areas.
I decide to go outside to look at the brass lamps held on pedestals around a tree. The clouds above keep moving and soft music fills my ears as I admire a Ana M branch lamp. The 28 x 18 x 64 inch multi-layered brass lamp, weighing 61 kilograms, features intricate designs. An information board placed nearby says it costs ₹98,000. The Miscellaneous Crafts Room has a 15 kilogram vintage wooden chest and I hold the controller trigger to open it.
At the point of sale, customers can choose a product, approach it to see it more closely, have a multidimensional look, also lift the product if necessary, find out its composition, weight and price.
Coimbatore outlet manager Ronald Selvestin says the concept of virtual reality began to take shape in Poompuhar about 10 years ago after the organization held an exhibition in Mumbai. A high profile customer wanted to see more craftsmanship. But that meant more expense for transporting and handling the goods. This led Poompuhar to turn to technology to bring its high-value products to customers’ doorsteps.
It launched virtual reality in 2020. But, it could not be popularized due to pandemic challenges. Gadgets have been installed at the Urban Haat in Mamallapuram to give customers a virtual reality experience and have recently been introduced in the city to reach more customers in the area.
Initially around 500 products were available on the virtual platform and this number has increased to 700 now including thalai aatu bommai, fiber statues, stone sculptures, wooden objects and brass bells. “These products are not available at Poompuhar outlets. And many of them can be modified for customers,” he says. “They can see the details of the artwork, the exact shades, lift it and flip it. For example, they can lift the bell and also hear its chime,” he says.
Customers can also watch the products from the comfort of their home on the VR platform. This can be done by setting up an appointment with Poompuhar and a VR kit will be brought to their premises.
For more details call 9944843366 / 6374477600.
Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 13/12/2022: An image of a virtual gallery viewers experience set up by Poompuhar. Photo: Special layout. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 13/12/2022: An image of a virtual gallery viewers experience set up by Poompuhar. Photo: Special layout. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 13/12/2022: A customer discovers handicrafts through virtual reality at Poompuhar in Coimbatore on Tuesday. Photo: Periasamy M/ The Hindu. | Photo credit: PÉRIASAMY M
Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 13/12/2022: A customer discovers handicrafts through virtual reality at Poompuhar in Coimbatore on Tuesday. Photo: Periasamy M/ The Hindu. | Photo credit: PÉRIASAMY M
