Whether you’re looking for intricate wood carvings or furniture or even colourful carpets and other fabrics, Chennai has everything you could want when it comes to handicrafts. Check out this list of the best Indian handicrafts stores in Chennai and fall in love with the city and the treasures it offers all over again.
Find The Best Of Indian Handicrafts At These Legendary Stores In Chennai
Victoria Technical Institute (VTI)
VTI was established in 1887 and has transformed to become one of the most popular stores in the city for handicrafts from Tamil Nadu. Their three floors of handicrafts are mostly made and crafted by artists from rural areas. Everything from Tanjore paintings and bronze figures from Kumbakonam to linens, rosewood carvings and brass lamps is available here.
Poompuhar
This Tamil Nadu government-promoted handicrafts store specialises in Golu dolls which are made from mud and are displayed during Navratras. They also have bronze statues and stone sculptures, along with Tanjore paintings and exquisite woodcraft.
The Cottage Arts Emporium
Ask anyone in the city for a store that sells handicraft goods, and this is where they will send you. For good reason too! Cottage Arts Emporium has more than just handicrafts from Tamil Nadu. They have sandalwood crafts from Karnataka, greenstone figurines from Orissa and even articles from Ladakh on display. And if you’re looking for brass or bronze work, this is one place you need to go.
Central Cottage Industries
Another Chennai staple is this Emporium in Nandanam. What makes CCI stand out is that they sell intricately carved furniture as well as wood carved elephants, horses and camels. They also have a section dedicated to fabrics and ready-made clothes for men and women. And moreover, they have colourful toys for children that also work wonderfully as souvenirs.
Srushti The Handicrafts Emporium
Quite possibly the youngest of the handicrafts stores in Chennai (having opened only in 2000), Srushti has a large collection of bronze and brass handicrafts as well as handicrafts made with semi-precious stones. Along with these, they have various Tanjore paintings and intricately carved wood panels with mythical creatures.
Cottage Industries Exposition Ltd.
Carpets are definitely one of the most popular handicraft products that people look for when they come to India, and you can find the most colourful ones and other fabrics at CIE in Nungambakkam. They also have white marble furniture and other handcrafted wood items from Rajasthan.
The Museum Company
Another store popular for Kashmiri carpets, the Museum Company also has deities made from different materials like rosewood and sandalwood to name a few. They also have crafted silver items, semi-precious jewellery, and even pashmina shawls.
Cane & Bamboo
Quite well known in the city for souvenirs and gifts, Cane & Bamboo is also a very popular handicrafts store. They have bronze statues, rosewood carved elephants, leather products, wooden furniture and cane products, to name a few. There's also jewellery and various display items that are beautifully crafted by artisans in rehabilitation centres.
Kairali
Featuring the best of Kerala handicrafts, Kairali is an iconic store in Anna Salai. You can find everything from traditional lamps called nilavilakku to cedar wood-carved idols, wooden boxes, bamboo paintings and coconut shell products here.
Artisan's
Another iconic store, Artisan's, is loaded with handmade idols, statues, and bronze artefacts, all sourced from across the country. You can also find beautiful Tanjore paintings, shawls and silk carpets here.
Shiraz Arts
Set up in Spencer Plaza, Shiraz Arts has beautiful Kashmiri carpets, pashminas, and cashmere merch. The rosewood artefacts are also quite stunning. You can also find gorgeous marble stone showpieces and vases here along with silver jewellery carrying semi-precious stones and more.
