An artiste's touch to Seashells!

Thank you, Blogadda, for selecting this post as a Saturday Spicy Picks!

“You’ve got to meet her!”, my cousin’s wife urged us some time ago. So off we went to meet Smt. Leela Puthli at her residence at Mumbai, to see the wonders her dexterous fingers had painstakingly created from god’s creation that could be found aplenty in nature – in the oceans across the world. Seashells!

It was indeed a pleasure to meet a 74-year old artist, who had laboriously created lovely objects by lending her magic touch - transforming seashells into lovely flower arrangements like beautiful dahlias, exquisite jewelry boxes, breathtaking jewelry pieces that could be worn as bridal décor or by models featuring on fashion magazine covers. Those who adore the beauty of seashells and consider the numerous forms that one finds in the deep, blue sea or by the sandy beach side or rocky promenades, may wonder what can one do with such things as seashells, except display them in one’s show-case?


A flower arrangement made from seashells

“Lots!” would be Ms. Leela Puthli’s prompt reply. Having taken up the fascinating hobby in the mid 60s and a keen interest in Conchology (study of shells), she ought to know! Cultivating a hobby of collecting a wide variety of shells, she had royal company in Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Emperor Hirohito, King George III and Queen Victoria, who were all shell enthusiasts! But Leela Puthli went the extra mile by painting and transforming them into life-like flowers and plants! Soon enough, her family and friends began to appreciate her rare art form, by which she produced some rare masterpieces. There weren’t many who had made a mark in the field of shellcraft in those days. With her nimble fingers and hours of hard work, oodles of patience and a strong urge to be creative in her work, she would weave the shells into exquisite patterns, paint them and then paste them onto such mundane articles such as broken kitchen cabinet doors or throw-away cake bases!


A unique floral bridal-wear - a special creation for a special occasion

In this passionate indulgence, she had her husband, Ganesh Puthli, strongly by her side. He encouraged her to cultivate her hobby and also studied shells to their core – the myths behind shells, the scientific, historic, economic and ecological importance of these mere hard covers for soft, vulnerable creatures of the sea called molluscs, to protect themselves from bigger fish by hiding within these hard calcified beautiful forms, known to us as sea shells.


Another exquisite flower arrangement

Soon word went around her extended family and friends circles and people would pour in to see these lovely creations – plaques, vases, necklaces made of seashells - and, soon enough, would long to possess them! Having observed some displays in an aquarium, she decided to make some exquisite articles which she would want to be displayed alongside the ones at the aquarium. It was not long before her dreams were fulfilled. Soon orders began to pour in and even the Khadi Bhandar was impressed with her creations and wanted thousands of them! Her masterpieces, though, changed hands for “throwaway prices”, or shall we say one did not have to shell out too much? At times, she even gifted away some to her near and dear ones, because she valued relationships more than anything else in the world. And guess what they brought back in return? Various shells, fish scales (which she would use for the green leaves), broken doors, discarded boxes to help her with her next artwork!

But not all the shells the couple used to make flower arrangements were from well-wishers. Trips to beaches were often at odd times – in the mornings, to look for some fresh catch. Bivalves and univalves - Clam shells, cowries, scallop shells, tusk shells, chambered nautilus, gastropods – they would look for them high and low on several beaches along the coasts of India. The couple would also give talks and presentations at society events, she recalls, where her husband Ganesh, who is unfortunately no more, would, in a professor-like manner, explain all about this fascinating world to astounded audiences. Both Ganesh and Leela have written articles, which have been published in magazines like the Eve’s Weekly, The Illustrated Weekly of India, the Kanara Saraswat, Dharmayug (Hindi) in the mid ‘70s. Some prominent models and actresses have been featured in those pages displaying necklaces, bracelets, designer dresses using shell-work. Their work and passion have also been extensively covered by journalists in the Financial Express, Sunday Standard, etc.

Sadly, her hard work and the natural process of ageing have taken their toll on her fingers - with painful swollen finger joints, she is unable to pursue her hobby that brought her great satisfaction and a fair amount of popularity in her prime years. Considerate friends and concerned extended family members now call up to tell her not to exert herself and hurt herself any further! She talks about her large family and friends and often expresses her gratitude for their support, without which, she would not have been able to pursue her dreams. One cannot miss noticing the humility she has carefully preserved over the years. We seek her permission to capture the beauty of her works, which are on display at her residence, with the help of my digital camera to post on my blog for my readers and thank her for the time and kind courtesies extended to us.


Ms. Leela Puthli - the artist

While reading all the articles written by the couple and published by reputed magazines and the features carried by publications, I come across some great facts about wonderful world of seashells – anecdotes and snippets, being interesting tidbits, that I would like to share with you all along with some pictures taken by me of her amazing creations.

I do hope you enjoyed reading this post - as much as I enjoyed doing it!

Interesting Tidbits about Seashells from articles by the Puthlis:

1. The Hindu mythological tale about how seashells came into existence tells about how the Goddess Kanya Kumari, who plans to marry Lord Shiva and waits for the Lord bedecked in bridal floral grandiose, but by a quirk of destiny, this is not to be and so heartbroken, she throws away all the floral decorum by the coastline.
2. The molluscs live life safely in their shells, as we know. But perhaps it was the wish to have more space and just as we humans want to live in 2/3 BHK homes in cities, one variety of molluscs is blessed with chambers in its shells – something like rooms in our flats – that’s the “Chambered Nautilus”. It's design is an engineering and architectural marvel. A US submarine by the same name has been built based on the design of the chambered nautilus shell.
3. Cowries (kavadis) have been used as monetary units in the 17th to 19th Century AD. in parts of Africa and India. The cost of a cow was 2500 cowries and the Indian Rupee was worth 2400 cowries. An Englishman is said to have bought a mansion for 16 million cowries! Now we know why we say “shelling out money” for a big purchase!
Also explains the oft-repeated Hindi filmi dialogue “Ek phooti kavdi nahin doonga”!
4. Cowries have also been used in games like shatranj (in place of dice) in the olden days. After money – gambling! Now some folks gamble on cricket scores! Times may have changed – but we haven’t!
5. Shells have been used as tools and bowls in kitchens for serving (perhaps soup?) before the invention of modern utensils.
6. Broken shells have been used in horticulture being a source of calcium carbonate even today.
7. The scallop shell has been of significant importance in Christianity.
8. The Shell Company has a scallop shell as its logo to remind us of its humble beginnings - shells being their first business interest.
9. Indian conch shells (turbinella pyrum, shankha as we call it) enjoy prime importance in Hindu religion. A rare, left-handed variety (called sinistral) is believed to have mystical powers. The epic Mahabharata cites the “Panchajanya” conch that Lord Krishna blew before the Pandavas waged the war against the Kauravas. Each of the Pandavas had a separate conch, together blown was a clarion call for the opponents.
10. Some interesting web-links to explore the world of seashells (without really diving into the deep blue sea)
Some lovely pics here
Loads of information here
Explore the Wikipedia’s ocean of information here

Some of her plaques and articles made from shells