The Royal Crown

It’s made using multiple coconut shells, challenge here is to find a perfectly symmetric coconut. Also the shell has to be polished to give a near gold finish. Also used, a bit of veneer, artificial pebbles and colored beads, to add richness.

Bullock Cart - A miniature using Coconut Shell

One of those simple vehicles, from my village memories. I made this a while back using Coconut, Wood and Perspex.

  

 

Coconut Art & Crafts

At this age of 64, when I look back at the most eventful life lead by me and think of all that came and went, there's one thing which stayed with me always, "Imagination".

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."  - Albert Einstein

When you look at the most common things or nature around you, and imagine what you can do with them, the outcome will surprise you. I mean the most common things, say the clouds.

Try looking at the clouds at different time of the day, in different seasons. You will see patterns emerging, its true its your imagination, but that is everything. Something similar happens with me, when I go to buy vegetables for instance.

I look at the well arranged heaps fruits and vegetables as Small Colourful Pyramids. One of those things that you find in vegetable mart has always caught my imagination, "The Coconut".

Though coconuts usually come in similar shapes, if you look beyond what your eyes can see, they hide a lot within. When I look at a coconut and imagine, patterns start emerging, and I know what it can be turned into. Now, thats the power of imagination.

I am by profession a specialist in metallurgy and aviation. I served the Indian Air Force, for 21 years, and then joined HAL an integrated Aviation & Aerospace Organisation. With over 4 decades in the industry, I am equipped with the knowledge of using various tools and mechanical devices and the knowledge of how different materials behave when they are subjected to various treatments. End of the day, we make sure the flyer has a safe flight, be it a Fighter Pilot or A Passenger. Be it war, a rescue operation or just a pleasure flight.

My Imagination coupled with My Knowledge & an Encouraging Family, form the base for my creative endeavors. It has not always been coconuts. I have worked with other materials too. Some of them are as follows:

• Miniature Aeroplanes & knifes with metals like Steel & Aluminium.
• Ajanta Paintings, Photo Frames, Jewel Boxs, Miniature Cannons, Miniature Steamer, Table Lamps, Hanging Flower Vase etc. with  Perspex.
• Small home use boxes, stools and other furniture using Wood & Metal combination.
• Switch Boards and Knife Handles using Ebonite.
• Various other small decoratives using Thermocol, other packing materials and so on ..... 

While, I enjoyed working with all the above materials, the best, easily available and most important naturally available material is coconut. Coconuts challenge your imagination. You have to think in line with its curves and textures. Its a very unique material to work with, you hit a bit hard, it breaks and if you are too soft it wont listen to you.

Once you fire your imagination and start working, there is no end to what you can create out of something which most of us throw away as waste. This blog of mine, will now be a window to my world of creations. I would appreciate your comments and feedbacks, on my works. You can also email me on eswarart@gmail.com, or call on 9449347933.

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