The surface might be gallery-quality starched canvas, say, or a silk sari or stole.
The major occupations of Kanchipuram are silk sari weaving and agriculture.
On this day, married women wearing new silk saris perform puja to a vegetable, symbolizing the goddess Kaveri.
The woman was 28 or 29, smooth-skinned, almond-eyed, wearing a scarlet silk sari.
Worn silk saris are cut up and turned into scarves; broken-down appliances are kept in storage rather than discarded.
Cream-colored cotton cut-out fabric ($60) and silk saris ($125 to $600).
He remembers the way his sister's tears fell onto her mother-in-law's silk sari, and then disappeared as she ironed it.
It is famous for its silk saris, famous temples and its unique culture.
The Happy Gang explores textile technology, from woollens and wellies to silk saris.
A crew of elegant women in green silk saris rustled among the guests offering food and drink.