Artifacts of Kerala

[minisoji]

Para: The measure of harvest



Kerala was essentially an agrarian society, with many families having a piece of cultivable land being farm workers. Its fortyfour rivers make Kerala fertile for rice cultivation.

The para was the measure for paddy the measuring unit as well as the measure pan. It was used by the farmer to determine the measure of his harvest and retailers atthe local market. An interesting piece of craftsmanship, the para was shaped out of the base of the jack tree. The hollow of the wooden container had ornamental metallic beadings that helped check expansion or contraction due to climatic changes.

The mouth of the para was invariably lined with metal, usually brass. Today international units have relegated the para to the drawing rooms, where it enjoys pride of place as a rare curio. However, even today the nirapara ( para filled with paddy) is the auspicious sign of prosperity and is an inevitable part of festivals and celebrations.

Keywords: kerala artifacts, kerala tourism, Aranmula Kannadi, Para, Coircrafts, Nettur petti, Nettippattom