Painted leaf card - Specimen details

Painted leaf card - Specimen details

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Catalogue Number: 69773

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Plant Name 153.05 MORACEAE Ficus religiosa Entry Book Number 24.1992
Artefact Name Painted leaf card Vernacular Name
Iso Country India TDWG Region India
Parts Held Painted leaf card Geography Description India, Kerala
Uses Painted leaf cardUse: MATERIALS User: Man TDWG use MATERIALS
Storage Bottles, boxes etc Related Items
Donor Prance Mrs Anne Donor No
Donor Date 00/00/1991 Donor Notes
Collector Collector No
Collection Notes Collection Date
Exhibition Expedition
Number Components Publication
Notes: Opuscular source: Trppaadam 'at the holy feet of the Lord' is a mall community in Kerala, South India, whose aim is to improve the quality of life among whom they live, regardless of their religion or caste. It is mainly among the low caste Harijan peopl, e that their work is centered. Trppaadam runs a small school for disadvantaged children, a leprosy clinic, an informal health clinic and vocational training classes. Trppaadam also helps to organise cottage industries and market the products. Trppaadam', s pipul leaf cards utilize designs and materials reflecting the rich culture of India. The Pipul tree, from which the leaves come, has special significance being the tree under which the Buddha was mediating when he received his enlightenment. When the l, eaves have been collected they are placed in a depression adjoining the streams that water the rice fields. About a month later when the green tissues have decayed these are carefully brushed away leaving the leaf's skeleton of viens. Then the outline of, the design is screen printed onto the leaf skeleton prior to the hand painting. This industry began with the employment of one disabled women. Now more than 75 persons are employed in painting the skeleton leaves: others make by hand the paperfor the car, ds. The money earned by a worker is shared with the entire family and, although meagre by Australian standards, makes a great deal of difference to the family of a worker. The employment at Trppaadam also adds much to the social life of the community. Cam, e via Tasmania

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