Saundhi Mitti.

Urulis have traditionally been used for cooking in Kerala. But today, they’re used for everything but that. In beautiful shades of old gold, and available in any size, old urulis can be used to hold fresh jasmine, marigold or scented floating candles.  I use mine for magazines as it’s just the right size. My grandmother gives the old ones to the hens to lay their eggs in. Really!

Saundhi Mitti, however, has given new life to the old uruli and brought them back in a new avatar in ceramic and lovely, earthy shades. Click here to see the entire range and a host of other objets.

Via, talented Pii friend, Archana Srinivas.

Padheyam.

Padheyam or the famed banana-leaf packed lunch keeps food fresh just till lunchtime. As the rice is packed when it’s steaming hot, the banana leaf gives the rice a lovely, earthy flavour. Padheyam exists as Lamprais in Sri Lanka and slinks around other South East Asian countries under a variety of other exotic names. 

(Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovh0tIHnE0Q/TcD86ayfAZI/AAAAAAAAC3o/Py7sG64BJGQ/s1600/packed%2Blunch.jpg)

Red Frog.

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Red Frog’s reusable bags. Red Frog is a quaint, niche boutique tucked deep in the heart of rainforest Kerala. The region needed awareness on protecting the rich, natural resources that kept the place looking like a moist emerald. They also needed some seriously cool bags to be seen around with. Design by Alende. http://www.alendedesign.com