Here it is! Hand-crafted furniture made in the traditional way, that is, without using nails or wooden pegs. All the joints are slotted together in a perfect fit, which means that each piece going into the final product has to be cut to absolute precision. The wood used also has to be completely dried, as otherwise warping could cause problems later. That is the type of furniture you get at 12, Raja Street, Lakshmana Perumal Nagar in Kottivakkam, on the outskirts of the city, where an enterprising couple have setup a unique furniture workshop called 'Shakti Ganapati'.
This husband-and-wife duo is absolutely committed to every piece of furniture they make! Deepak Chengappa, who looks after the design and manufacture, describes it as 'total furniture' -- it is good both from inside and outside. Most modern furniture companies (some with established brand labels) seem more concerned about the external look alone while ignoring functionality and comfort and the quality of materials used. "There's a very phony feel to them," says Deepak. Reshma Chengappa, who helps in the design, is responsible for marketing. The couple, who hail from Kodugu, is very low key about advertising and publicity. They prefer each piece to be a testimony to their workmanship and commitment and rely more on word-of-mouth recommendations of satisfied clients.
Shakti Ganapati's wide range includes tables and desks, beds, wall lamps, floor and table lamps, dining sets and storage racks, chests of drawers, entertainment consoles, cupboards and dinner wagons. The woods used are tropical hard woods like teak, padauk and white cedar. No plywood at all. The finished pieces are given a deep penetrating oil finish and rubbed down with steel wool to make the natural granular design of the wood visible. Their method of manufacture makes for strength, stability and a unique visual appeal. All the furniture is manufactured in the Kottivakkam unit by a specially trained team of skilled carpenters. If any piece is defective, it is back to the drawing board! The errors may be due to improper measurements, inadequate curing of the wood or lapses in workmanship.
The unit has created a number of distinctive ranges of furniture like the 'Partha series', ''Mekeri series', 'Storage series' and the 'Windsor series'. The 'Partha' series is marked by column-like legs at the back, while the 'Mekeri' series has rectangular frames with curved legs and removable upholstery. Potential buyers can check things out on web site
shaktiganapati.com. Orders can be placed on-line, backed by advance payment. The Chengappa's will deliver three-to-six months after confirmation of each order.
Open only on Sundays and on other days by appointment.
Address:
12, Raja Street,
Lakshmana Perumal Nagar,
Kottivakkam
Chennai
Phone: 4453269
