Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku (Nachiarkoil Lamp)

Nachiarkoil is a town in the district of Tanjore, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The production of the lamps here is mainly by the local artisans. This production of Nachiarkoil lamps is particular to the different types of sandy soil found here which are used in the moulding processes. These lamps usually consists of four parts viz. base (keezh-bagam), stem (kandam), oil container (thanguli) and the apex or prabai. These four parts are joined together with the help of screw threads. The lamps come in the form of a branching tree with each branch ending in a small tray or bowl for the oil and the wick. They may also be suspended by chains from the ceiling, the chains often being richly decorated and excellent in workmanships and design.