Seashell Craft of Pondicherry

In Pondicherry, seashell craft is practiced on a small scale at Karaikal. The raw materials are ordered especially from Andaman and Nicobar islands. These shells are then cleaned and cut according to the product requirement and are carved delicately. Items for personal adornment such as bracelets, brooches, rings, earrings and hairclips are made out of shells. Vermillion container and other table top items are also made. Tools that are used for sea shell craft are chanakal (used for grinding stone), glue, asphalt and a bench grinder (an electric brush cleaner).