Talaivar Desk Project

Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, head of the Ganapati Kulam, has gotten a new desk! After about 50+ years of selfless service, Paramacharya asked the team to build a desk worthy of the new Media Studio design and able to make the members of the kulam feel proud of their work when they meet together around the desk each morning to begin the day. Acharya Kumarnathaswami and Rishipati Deva Rajan followed out the request. We bring you a small glimpse into this giant undertaking.

It all began with an idea. This drawing in Sketch-Up shows what could be possible. The drawing and design program can actually take full measurements so there are no surprises in real life.

Deva Rajan and Kumarnathaswami seen by the wood mill. Deva helped with many aspects of the Media Studio renovation.

The very log that would one day be Swami\

s desk. The giant mango had to come down, for its roots were climbing underneath the building. Monks waste nothing. '

The tree was soon milled and dried for two years. Acharya seen here milling the very slab that became the desk.

The desk is made of two seperate slabs. Before joining the slabs, the inside faces must be perfectly flat and smooth.

Several mortise holes are drilled, ready for tenons.

A common tool in the woodshop. This one plane alone has performed years of work.

As the wood rests in the background, a template has to be made. This will guide the rest of the project.

It has to be perfect.

The two slabs are glued with tenons in place and dried for several days

Before the magic moment happened

Several tests runs were made, just to be sure

Now it\

s time to trace the template shape onto the desk'

Cutting down the line both with hand tools and machines

The woodworker meditates on the sound of the still saw

The rough cut has been made and the close-up detail can be done with a few other tools meant for the job

We can see here that the two slabs aren\

t actually enough to finish the swooping corners. Some magic needs to happen...'

Acharya has a plan to glue the small swooping pieces on

This is our favorite tool

A close-up of the desk\

s side after scalloping'

The template is also used as a protectant for the duration of the project

Final sanding is extremely important and can make or break the final finish

Acharya has shown mastery with this project. He is constantly refining his craft.

After the top of the desk, Acharya moves on to the the cabinets that hold the desk up

The finished product. A custom built top for Paramacharya\

s laptop. '

Voila! The idea starts in the mind and finishes in this world as a material object

The desk was made to last for generations to come

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