INTACH Madurai launches replicas of a Pandya coin as souvenirs, to promote understanding and learning of ancient Tamil life, culture and people
Think of coins and what comes to mind are the flat round pieces of metal. But in some Madurai
homes — those with children and adults interested in history — the replica of a fancy Pandya coin stands like a decorative plaque. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Madurai chapter is trying to generate academic interest in the significance of ancient Tamil coinage among the people here.
“Antiquated coins contain a lot of history and are a means to understand how civilisations flourished in the past. But due to the lack of a widely understood script, we tend to ignore the importance,” says Rajesh Kanna, an executive member who came up with the idea of using the replica of a coin as teaching tool. Coin replicas are usually done by collectors, out of commercial interests. This is perhaps the first time that an INTACH chapter has replicated a coin, in the size of a tablet that also makes a nice souvenir for locals and tourists alike.
