Karthigai Deepam 2023: Rajalakshmi Sivasankaran, empress of exquisite lamps

Lifestyle By Roshne Balasubramanian 26/11/2023 Read the article

RL Handicraft’s Vilakkukadai, nestled within Ramakrishna Street in Porur, is run by, the poised and inimitable Rajalakshmi Sivasankaran.

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Currently, in celebration of the Karthigai Deepam festival, the store is hosting an exhibition of lamps until 27 November, 2023.

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The store is adorned with an array of 600 diverse villaku (lamps) designs sourced from across the country, and intricately carved brass sculptures.

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In its seventh year, Villakukadai has garnered a reputation as a go-to for exquisitely designed lamps, particularly during Karthigai Deepam, a festival of traditional lamps of significance.

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When discussing lamps with Sivasankaran, her enthusiasm shines through, and her eyes light up as she delves into a treasure trove of knowledge about various lamp types.

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“For a woman in a predominantly male-dominated business sphere, the journey is never easy. I had to assert myself and demonstrate my knowledge,” she shares, with a smile.

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It was during her quest for a brass Thiruvalluvar statue in Tamil Nadu that she recognised a significant gap in the market, sparking the initial idea for RL Handicrafts.

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Today, the store collaborates with over 150 suppliers from diverse regions across India. However, she is truly happy about how her business supports local traditional artisans.

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