Chakkara Achchulu (Sugar Art of India)
Mother and Baby Pheasants in Early Morning Mist
(Panchadaara Chilakalu)
Baby Peacock Exploring the Countryside
Baby Peacock and Baby Elephant at a Water Pool
The beautiful sugar figurines of India are prepared for Sankranthi and during Dasera-Deepavali festival season. They are Pooja ornaments, and also sweeten the saare (gifts) in functions like marriages and baby-shower etc. These delightful, melt in mouth treats are prepared by pouring the pure and concentrated sugar syrup into carved wooden molds. Little bit of care and patience, viola, the tiny decorative candy items are ready to enjoy.
The sugar figurines photographed here came all the way from India… survived the tiresome travel conditions halfway across the globe. Thank you dear Janani for sending these delectable delicate delights for us.
Sugar Figurines that Holds Sweet Memories ~ Photo Essay
Sugar-Khoya Figurines for Rukhwat
Indira
Wow! Wow! Wow! Exquisite. Though I am from India too, I have never seen these before. Your blog is very enlightening and educative even to people familiar with India. Keep up the great work, Indira.
Comment by ash — January 11, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
How adorable they re!!
Comment by Mishmash! — January 11, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
Very beautiful! We used to get similar figurines (but colored) for Deepavali :).
Comment by musical — January 11, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
Hi Indira,
These figurines are making me nostalgic. Beautiful creations. They are also called panchadaara chilakalu. Thanks a lot for sharing. In telangana and maharashtra they are a part of Holi celebrations, mostly made into garlands and always in vibrant colours like green, yellow and pink for obvious reasons.
Comment by satya — January 11, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
How come everything looks so much more beautfiul on Mahanandi:)
Dreamy pictures…
Dear Janani, thank you for these adorable treats. I have kept them in small box and refrigerated. My keepsakes.:)
– Indira
Comment by Janani — January 11, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
amazing works of art, Indira. I always thought this was a Karnataka speciality. For my valaikappu (bangle ceremony), our neighbours had got them (my parents stayed in bangalore then). i just didn’t have the heart to eat them. beautiful pictures:)
Comment by Latha — January 12, 2008 @ 2:48 am
Hats of to You! You are so deep into anything you do I really admire each and every article of yours. For Sankranthi we make the achulu sugar models. I remember my mom used to make this. I am a Kannadiga from Bombay but now in Singapore. Each and every recipe of yours is great. Thanks a ton for the good dishes you have given us. A very Happy Pongal to you and your family.
Comment by Roopa — January 12, 2008 @ 3:53 am
Its been ages since i even saw these sugar acchalu Indira! Thanks for posting these and bringing back great memories!
Comment by Latha — January 12, 2008 @ 7:33 am
hey Indira, I remember these.. my mom used to give these to us.. during Holi..( reason unknown..).. and they taste so good and yummy.. seen them after such a long time.. Thank to u..:)
Advanced Sankranthi wishes.
~ Siri
Comment by Siri — January 12, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Ooooh, those are just calling out for some freshly roasted ‘khoi’, straight out of the big sand-filled kadhai I remember from childhood…
I hail from Bengal, where they are called by the most popular shape, the ‘mutth’ (temple or house of religious retreat/training). But I also recall little chariots and chhatris (not seen those in many years), as well as little dolls. The pheasant/peacock I think was the second most popular shape. And I remember a single vermillion horse…!
Comment by Rodosee — January 12, 2008 @ 10:48 am
Aww I miss these achalu, I used to eat them a lot during Sankranthi. I’m glad they survived the journey and we got to see them here 🙂
Comment by Namratha — January 12, 2008 @ 10:52 am
It looks so beautiful and adorable …thanks for sharing such lovely pics ..wish you happy sankranti too ..
hugs and smiles
jaya
Comment by jaya — January 13, 2008 @ 10:10 am
wow..Indira. I miss them. I made noogulu mixture and was missing chakkara acchulu with them. Those pics made me more nostalgic. It would be very nice of you if you can give us the recipe to make those acchulu. I faintly remember how mom used to do it.
Comment by Lakshmi — January 13, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Wow Indira, i remember making these at my Pinnis( mom’s sister ) marriage, thanks for reminding those sweet moments… Happy Sankranthi…
Comment by kalva — January 13, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Hi ..
We used to call them as ‘Panchadhara Chilakalu’. During festivals/holidays we used to visit our cousins in village. We used to bring these chilakalu home and used to have competition among our siblings that who can preserve it long without eating. Sometimes we used to eat tiny bits of it as we couldn’t control. It is many years since I have seen them. Thanks for posting such nice pictures and bringing our memories back. By the way which part of India are you from?
Comment by Prasanna — February 3, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
Oh my! You are making me nostalgic. I remember having these when I was 4 or 5…. my Mom used to buy these for us kids… ah memories! haven’t thought about these in ages!
You have a wonderful website here. Thanks for all that you do!
Comment by Meenakshi (HopenSmiles) — January 28, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Does any one know any place in california or east coast where you can get this? I want to order these.
Comment by Sireesha — August 27, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
where i can buy the wooden moulds for these chilakalu
Comment by hasini — January 6, 2012 @ 10:25 am