It's not frequently you come throughout people who find themselves passionate about weighing bars, scales and balances. So, when CT heard about Saravanan R, an entrepreneur who offers with electronic weighing scales at Nava India and his unique collection of weights and measures, we right away paid him a consult with. "I began my career in Palladam and have been part of the weights and measures industry right from 1993. I moved to Coimbatore in 2001 and it was in 2013 that I decided to set up a mini museum on weighing scales and bars. I wanted to give back to the industry that has made me what I am today."
A quick peek on the museum and one can uncover all kinds of weights- be it the fishing scale from Russia, leather-based beam scale from China, weights that date again a century, miniature bars, weighing bowls used by the Nizams of Hyderabad to call a couple of. "In the early days, weights were made of bronze and were cast in the shape of animals. Later, they were made out of brass, porcelain, pottery and lead. The Romans began weighing in pounds and with evolution weight began to be measured in kilograms. Balances were used as early as 4,000 BC."
Saravanan has a myriad collection of weights and measures, some which are a century outdated. "I have around 300 weights and measures. I have a unique collection of different types of scales including spring scales, pendulum scales, rocker scales, platform scales, roberval scales, bismar scales, steelyard scales and miscellaneous scales. I travel a lot and whenever I do, I go looking for these antique pieces. I read a lot on weights and measures and keep adding these antique pieces to my collection." He emphasizes that weights and measures play a the most important section in a single's lifestyles, however, folks do not realize it. "Right from the moment we are conceived and till we die, weights are a crucial part of our existence. A pregnant woman is first asked to check her weight. We check the weight of a newborn and when we die, we measure the weight of firewood to cremate the body. All of us have weighed and measured something in our lives. You cannot do any business without the use of weights -be it paper, clothes or machinery. Unfortunately, not many people understand its importance."
Saravanan has now determined to educate the general public about the importance of weights. "I am planning to open a full-fledged museum for weights in Coimbatore. I am part of an International Society of Antique Scale Collectors based in UK. We are a small bunch of people from different parts of the world who are fascinated by antique weighing scales. One of the oldest members in the group is planning to bequeath his collection and I am planning to buy the entire collection from him. Once I get hold of it, I would have a substantial collection of weights. But, since we are dealing with antiques, it requires many clearances. I am working towards it."
It would not be an exaggeration to mention that Saravanan is concerned about all issues that offers with weights. The businessman has a singular collection of stamps launched by means of different nations on weights and scales. "The Indian postal department has not released any on weighing scales. I also have covers and bills of weights that were sold many years ago. For instance, my collection comprises a cover that was circulated in New York American Institute of Weights and Measures, first cover from India with a weighing scale stamp, weighing scale advertising cover dated 1870 from Philadelphia to Springfield Mass. I also have a comprehensive collection of books on weights. "
But, all mentioned and finished, Saravanan says that since there don't seem to be many people who find themselves interested in the matter, his presence is obligatory when visitors arrive at his mini museum above his office. "It's not a subject that lures many. Hence, it's a challenge to find someone who can understand and explain the concept in my absence. That's probably the only deterrent to my unique hobby."
A quick peek on the museum and one can uncover all kinds of weights- be it the fishing scale from Russia, leather-based beam scale from China, weights that date again a century, miniature bars, weighing bowls used by the Nizams of Hyderabad to call a couple of. "In the early days, weights were made of bronze and were cast in the shape of animals. Later, they were made out of brass, porcelain, pottery and lead. The Romans began weighing in pounds and with evolution weight began to be measured in kilograms. Balances were used as early as 4,000 BC."
Saravanan has a myriad collection of weights and measures, some which are a century outdated. "I have around 300 weights and measures. I have a unique collection of different types of scales including spring scales, pendulum scales, rocker scales, platform scales, roberval scales, bismar scales, steelyard scales and miscellaneous scales. I travel a lot and whenever I do, I go looking for these antique pieces. I read a lot on weights and measures and keep adding these antique pieces to my collection." He emphasizes that weights and measures play a the most important section in a single's lifestyles, however, folks do not realize it. "Right from the moment we are conceived and till we die, weights are a crucial part of our existence. A pregnant woman is first asked to check her weight. We check the weight of a newborn and when we die, we measure the weight of firewood to cremate the body. All of us have weighed and measured something in our lives. You cannot do any business without the use of weights -be it paper, clothes or machinery. Unfortunately, not many people understand its importance."
Saravanan has now determined to educate the general public about the importance of weights. "I am planning to open a full-fledged museum for weights in Coimbatore. I am part of an International Society of Antique Scale Collectors based in UK. We are a small bunch of people from different parts of the world who are fascinated by antique weighing scales. One of the oldest members in the group is planning to bequeath his collection and I am planning to buy the entire collection from him. Once I get hold of it, I would have a substantial collection of weights. But, since we are dealing with antiques, it requires many clearances. I am working towards it."
It would not be an exaggeration to mention that Saravanan is concerned about all issues that offers with weights. The businessman has a singular collection of stamps launched by means of different nations on weights and scales. "The Indian postal department has not released any on weighing scales. I also have covers and bills of weights that were sold many years ago. For instance, my collection comprises a cover that was circulated in New York American Institute of Weights and Measures, first cover from India with a weighing scale stamp, weighing scale advertising cover dated 1870 from Philadelphia to Springfield Mass. I also have a comprehensive collection of books on weights. "
But, all mentioned and finished, Saravanan says that since there don't seem to be many people who find themselves interested in the matter, his presence is obligatory when visitors arrive at his mini museum above his office. "It's not a subject that lures many. Hence, it's a challenge to find someone who can understand and explain the concept in my absence. That's probably the only deterrent to my unique hobby."
A ‘weighty affair’ this
![A ‘weighty affair’ this]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 30, 2017
Rating:
