Holding the cards of tradition and culture — with 'Malabar Shuffle'

RUMMY, Bluff, or Ass. Whatever the game, the cards are dealt and played with a poker face. And, with 'Malabar Shuffle' adding colour and taste to the hustle, the familiar deck of westernised face cards now wears a fresh, local twist — thanks to Kochi-based Anaswara Offset Printers and Dubai-based illustrator Treasa Maria Rajan. The result is playful yet elegant decks set in the traditional Kerala context.

- VARSHA SOMARAJ @T'Puram

While kathakali-themed cards have been around for a while, 'Malabar Shuffle' is the first deck to reimagine all the face cards in full Kerala flair. Treasa, who casually sketched the first illustrations out of personal interest, never imagined her drawings would become a commercial deck. "I started it just for fun. Being from a design background and connected to our roots, I found the idea of fusioning face cards exciting," said Treasa.

That's when 'Blankverse', Anaswara's stationery brand, spotted her work and pitched the idea of developing it into a full deck.