Ananda Perumal started Kavin Art Gallery, an online store based in Thirunelveli, that predominantly makes products out of coconut shells. His brand is entirely zero waste and provides an alternative livelihood for beedi rollers in his locality. Amazing, no?
For products like jewellery, coasters, containers, pen stands, photo frames, coffee mugs, Natraj idols to decorating an entire wedding - Anand uses coconut shells for all. These items range from as low as INR 70 for jewellery while coasters and other containers are priced from INR 120. The Natraj idol, which is their signature product can be customised and costs between INR 1000 and 2000. Kavin Art Gallery also does a stellar job with zero-waste wedding decor with prices starting from about INR 30,000. They use things like the rim strips of a bicycle tyre, natural tyres, terracotta dolls and idols made of coconut shells to decorate the wedding halls and lawns.
Kavin Art Gallery is open for customisations in their products and they take up bulk orders too. They also conduct workshops for kids and adults across Tamilnadu where you can understand the intricate process of making coconut shells into something functional.