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Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Step inside actor Malavika Mohanan's ‘Kerala inspired Mumbai home', with Athangudi tiles, dark wood interiors and artefacts from her life
Actor Malavika Mohanan invited fans to tour her home in Mumbai in an episode of Gate Crashes by Mashable India, a series where celebrities give their fans a look into their homes and their personal lives. Malavika has transformed the house into a 'memory box' of Kerala, with traditional tiles, furniture and a lot of plants. She began the tour by describing her place as a 'Kerala Oasis in the midst of Mumbai,' and said that she wanted to create something that was inspired by her roots. She talked about loving houses built in the 'Nalikettu' style, and always dreamt of having such a house herself. 'I have seen Nalikettu houses in a lot of Mani Ratnam films, and it used to be a part of a lot of old traditional homes in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and it looks beautiful. I can't make it in an apartment, but otherwise I would have,' she said. ALSO READ: Take a look inside Hrithik Roshan's family home Malavika refused to take credit for her beautiful home, though, and said, 'My mother decked the whole place by herself. She has a lovely eye for interiors, as you can see.' She then began describing the 'hero' elements of her home, starting with her floor, which was inspired by traditional Athangudi tiles, which hail from a village in Tamil Nadu by the same name, and is quite famous for its Chettinad furniture. She calls the tiles the 'statement piece' of the house. She pointed out the dark wood furniture and artefacts and paintings from South India, including a beautiful Tanjore painting. Malavika explained how she loves vintage Tanjore paintings and how one can look for them in places like Madurai, where people are discarding them for the price of peanuts. She showed off her plants and the Mandir that was also inspired by South Indian culture and said, 'The Mandir was the first thing built in the home; they designated the corner for it, and the rest of the house was constructed after its completion.' Malavika then showed her fans her balcony, which was filled with plants and acts as a 'place of solace and peace for her'. She shared that her mother is very fond of out-of-the-box items, and she buys something from wherever she travels, and how their mutual love for animal artefacts has made their house into sort of a jungle. Malavika admitted that her entire family is a 'sucker for traditional things'.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Sungudi saree stall tops OSOP sales in Madurai
MADURAI: In a boost for handloom weavers and weaver groups in the region, the Sungudi saree stall at Madurai railway junction recorded the highest earnings among all the 'One Station One Product' (OSOP) shops set up in Madurai division. Of the 45 OSOP stalls operating across 34 stations in the division, the Sungudi stall stood out by earning a total of Rs 1,47,97,631 since its establishment in April 2022. With the earnings, the stall has supported 74 handloom weavers and weaver groups. Aimed at promoting indigenous products, craft and local entrepreneurship, the 'One Station One Product' initiative has so far generated profits to the tune of Rs 4.67 crore for the outlet keepers in the Madurai division. The OSOP scheme covers a wide range of products, including handicrafts, traditional garments, local farm products and processed or semi-processed foods. Emboldened by its success, the railway division recently permitted tender coconut sales also. Generating a revenue of Rs 60,17,927, the macaroon stall at Thoothukudi station became the second highest earning stall in Madurai division. Other successful stalls include the stall selling Pathamadai Korai mat products at Tirunelveli junction (Rs 44,28,431), palm products at Tiruchendur (Rs 31,63,806), Chinnalapatti handloom items at Dindigul (Rs 26,14,597), peanut chikkis at Kovilpatti (Rs 24,73,259), and milk peda at Srivilliputtur (Rs 14,11,250). Through the stalls, the division also offers other local products like palm items, macaroon, Chevu, Chettinad snacks, Manapparai murukku, panchamritham, Muscoth halwa, vettiver items, and millet-based products. "Since its launch, the OSOP scheme has helped more than 350 local artisans and small businesses," said railway sources.
