Vandharai Vazhavaikkum Thamizhagam. An old saying which means Tamil Nadu never lets down outsiders, but blesses them with prosperity.

Coimbatore has proved this saying right. Since the turn of the century the city has welcomed thousands of silver artisans from across the country to market their wares here. It gave them a foothold in the south.

Merchants from the then Calcutta introduced silver antique jewellery, curios and key chains nicely packed in leather boxes, while those from Cuttack brought with them miniature furniture sets, micro mini vessels, filigree bags. The furniture sets and vessels became an instant hit with the women folk here who competed with one another in buying them!

Puja articles, vessels and lamps, all handiwork of artisans from Karnataka and Kumbakonam, still occupy the puja room of almost every house here. Especially the Mysore Nagas that received the royal patronage too.

Artisans, who were specialists in making these nagas, sometimes even came all the way to Coimbatore to work for their customers. Products from Kumbakonam were no less in demand, especially the Ramanujar Chombu and Kumbakonam vilakku. Craftsmen like Mahalinga Pattar was known for making such products with a great finish.

Anklets from Salem, Kunkuma Chimizh from Kohlapur in Maharashtra, dinner sets from Calcutta were in great demand to such an extent that sellers would place bulk orders with the manufacturers who would send them by parcels through post offices.

Though the original manufacturers are not here anymore, the City can still take pride in continuing to make best silver articles even today.