Keeping It Cool: Novel Cooling Devices of India

FLY WHISKS

Fly whisks have enjoyed a longstanding history in the Indian context. These types of fans, also known as chowries during the Mauryan time (3rd century BC), were used by attendants to fan deities in temples and nobility in courts. They were crafted from various materials such as cotton threads, silver wire, animal hair and occasionally even peacock feathers (morchals).

Even today, fly whisks are part of many sacred traditions and continue to be seen in Gurudwaras and Jain temples.

MORCHALS

Similar to fly whisks, morchals had metal or wooden handles-often ornately carved-that held the feathered spray of peacock feathers together. An attendant would usually stand fanning the morchal as routine affairs were conducted.

HAND-FANS IN PALMYRA

The Palmyra palm - an important tree in India - has for centuries provided leaves for manuscripts, mats, thatched roofs, fans, hats and umbrellas.

Painted or ornamented Palmyra fans were made extensively in Bengal and Madras. The larger fans spanned the average height of a human, and were often used in more prosperous households with the assistance of domestic help.

Smaller, handheld fans, like the Palmyra fan featured here, were popular for personal use.

HAND-FANS WITH BAMBOO

The requirement of a large volume of handheld fans necessitated innovation from regional craftsmen in this design practice. Various materials, shapes and embellishments were experimented with and adapted to different regions based on availability of raw material.

This fan, with a swivelling bamboo handle, features a square blade that was achieved by simply cross-weaving coloured bamboo.

HAND-FANS WITH EMBROIDERED FABRIC

This hand-fan is crafted in fine silk and finished with intricate hand embroidery. The blade has been given a slight padding that lends some extra weight to enable a stronger draft.

It has a double handle made of metal. The longer rod is to actually hold the fan, and the shorter one serves as a pivot for easier rotation of the blade.

HAND-FANS WITH WOVEN BAMBOO

The keen craftsmanship of this exquisite hand-fan can be seen in the detailing of its woven bamboo blade - the slight perforations, worked into the main pattern, create a dual level of circulation, adding to its functionality and beauty.

Its slender silver handle along with the finish of the bamboo work seem to suggest that this hand-fan probably belonged to a well-to-do patron.

HAND-FAN - ROUND WITH FLOUNCE

The muted pastel colours of the blade perfectly complement the flounce. The silver handle has four graceful corners that perfectly frame the carved-in floral pattern.

While the sequin and thread-work in the centre of the fabric blade is stitched by hand, the flounce is finished with a sewing machine, suggesting that this fan belongs to the 20th century or later.

PUNKHA

Punkhas were meant to fan public spaces like cathedrals, hospitals, offices and large bungalows. The device consisted of stiffened fabric panel hung from a wooden rod, connected by ropes that were pulled by punkahwallahs to generate a draft. The punkah is said to have been an Arab invention, attributed to Caliph Mansur, and was originally known as Marwaha al-Khaish (linen fan).

Punkahs developed their own whimsical vocabulary when they travelled to India. Depending on its momentum, the punkah was said to have a Bombay and Bengal side. As the punkahwallah tugged at it, the panel generated a strong draft similar to the South West monsoons approaching Bombay. As he slowly released his grip, the punkah gradually lost force and reached the Bengal side, similar to the travelling winds.

The punkah’s popularity led to Lt. R N Cook mechanising it so that multiple rows could operate simultaneously.

G.E.C. TABLE FAN
Early table fans featured six pie-shaped blades similar to the structure of windmills. By the 1920s, as competition increased, manufacturers began experimenting with blade design. Around this time, General Electric (of USA) introduced the use of overlapping blades that helped make fans quieter, and other designers were quick to adapt this innovation to different forms.

Emerson’s Silver Swan fan was one such instance - designer Jane Evans used lightweight, silvery aluminum to mimic the graceful profile of a feathered flock.

The displayed fan is a variant of Evans’ model suggesting that the latter must have been popular in its time, inspiring other manufacturers to produce similar designs.

RIBBON FAN
Ribbon fans were a fashionable substitute to regular table fans in the 1930s. The polished base and streamlined top revealed a clear modern influence but the design was truly novel because of its fabric blades. These blades provided a draft equivalent to metal blades and - as the advertisement claimed - eliminated the ‘fear of gashed fingers’.

VAAYU CLASSIC
Invented by Pranav Mokshmar, Vaayu chillers fill the gap between traditional coolers and expensive air conditioners. Vaayu Classic cools a room down to 18 degrees using ice water – as opposed to regular desert coolers that drop temperatures by just 5 degrees.

Using patented technology, a compressor chills the water in the cooler which is then circulated on the side pads. A thermostat gauges the temperature and automatically switches off the compressor once the water is icy enough. This controlled consumption helps the appliance save up to 90% of the electricity otherwise used by traditionally air conditioners.

When refrigerators were first introduced in India, they were initially promoted as ‘healthy appliances’ since they were superior to rudimentary iceboxes that would get mouldy and retain odour. However, owing to their high costs, there were often offered on hire - as seen in B.E.S.T.’s and General Electric advertisements on display.

Despite the delays in industrial progress brought about by the Second World War and a tumultuous freedom struggle, independent India was resolute to build her industrial prowess and was supported by the gusto of private enterprises.

Godrej & Boyce and Allwyn were the first companies to independently manufacture the models of the refrigerator in 1958. With the emergence of a distinct consumer class after a little more than a decade, refrigerators became a coveted signifier of modern living. Godrej, Allwyn and Voltas owned a lion’s share of the market, during these years.

The market opened up to foreign collaborators in the 90s. Greater product choices accompanied by affordable prices served to alter the perception of refrigerators from being objects of status to objects of necessity in urban homes.

GODREJ MODEL 9 REFRIGERATOR
A decade after India gained independence, Godrej launched the country’s first refrigerator. A product of Mr. Naoroji Pirojsha Godrej’s vision, the Model 9 refrigerator was a 7 cubic feet model. It featured a half freezer and automatic temperature control. The casing was white enamel and the interiors were lined with porcelain for easy cleaning.

GODREJ CHOTUKOOL
Developed by Gopalan Sunderraman of Godrej & Boyce, ChotuKool is a low-cost refrigerator that cost about INR 3500 and consumes electricity worth INR 60 to 70 (1USD) per month. The refrigeration unit has been designed such that it relies on a solid-state chip instead of a conventional compressor. This makes the unit virtually service-free.

Patented technology enables ChotuKool to work without electricity for up to three hours. Owing to its light-weight (7.3kg), it can be used as a carry-along cooler as it can run on inverters and external batteries. Godrej ingeniously partnered with the Indian Postal department to deliver this product to even the most remote areas of the country.

MITTICOOL REFRIGERATOR
After seeing the devastating effects of the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat - the ruined homes, lack of electricity and overall sense of helplessness - Mansukhbhai Prajapati, listed as one of the seven most powerful rural Indian entrepreneurs by Forbes, was inspired to build a frugal refrigerator for the masses - the Mitticool Refrigerator.

Made of terracotta, the unit costs INR 5500 (USD 74) and does not need electricity or artificial energy to function. Working on the same principles of cooling as a traditional Indian pot or matka, its inner temperature remains 10 degrees lower than the atmosphere, allowing for storage of milk products for up to three days, besides vegetables, fruits and water.