Artifacts of Kerala

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Steel Knives of Varappuzha



The relatively unknown place Varappuzha in Ernakulam district is known for its sharp steel knives. The Varappuzha knife, 'uli' and 'karandi', commonly used by the masons, have grabbed their confidence and approval by its exceptional qualities.

There are 25 'aalas' (workshops of blacksmiths) in Varappuzha alone, which have been catering to thousands of workmen from across Kerala for more than half a century.

Most of the young men now engaged in these workshops hail from the families who were tradtionally blacksmiths. The mastery of these men over the medium is so superb that automobile mechanics who fail to organise rare spare parts for their clients approach these blacksmiths.Given a chance, these blacksmiths can recreate an exact prototype of any metal product.

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

[minisoji]

Nettur petti: The ethnic jewel box of Kerala




Netturpetti, the ethnic jewel box of the Kerala woman was once a mark of the influential families of the land. The casket ( petti) originally designed in the Nettur region of Malabar is testimony of the patience and skill of the artisans who make it.

The box usually made of rosewood is fully handcrafted. Every joint, every screw and lock is shaped and chiselled by the hand. The wooden box is first varnished and then fixed with brass frames. Today, this richly embellished box with its conical lid is a collector's item. Very few of the artisans remain and the casket is fast becoming a rare object.

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

[minisoji]

Nettippattom: The ornament of elephants



The Keralites' love for gold is reflected even in the manner they adorn their favourite beast. The elephant, which is an integral part of any celebration here, is turned out in full regal splendour for any pageant or procession.

The nettippattom (the glittering ornament that adorns the forehead of the elephant) is crafted in gold bya skilled clan of artisans. Nowhere in India is an elephant decorated so extravagantly, or so befittingly.

The making of the nettippattom: Three and a half kilograms of copper and three sovereigns (24 gms) of gold go into the making of a simple nettippattom. It takes not less than 20 days to craft this ornament which is priced between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000.

The size of the nettippattom varies with that of the elephant. An elephant of 9 to10 ft height would require an ornament of 60" 66'' in length with at least 11 chandrakkala (crescents) on it.

The nettippattom is today made in Thiruvankulam village of Ernakulam district and the adjoining areas of Thrissur.

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

[minisoji]

Pulppaya: Grass mats of Kerala



Smooth, cool, red and black designed, the traditional Pulppaya or grass mats of Kerala is one of the oldest handwoven products of the State.

These mats have even found mention in the Atharva Veda (3500 1500 BC), one of the four Vedas (philosophical treatises of ancient India). Used to sit on as well as to sleep on, depending on their size and shape, these mats were at that time used mostly by the elite when ordinary people used wooden planks to sit.

Woven out of the Korappullu, ( Cyperus corymbosus) a 91.5 to 152 cm tall species of grass belonging to the family of the Papyrus, these mats are designed in various colours. The Korappullu grows to its maximum height during AugustSeptember. The villagers collect them in bulk quantities, cut them into long, thin strips and dry these for three days. These strips are then dyed by boiling the grass in water along with pieces of the bark of a tree called Chapangam ( Caesalpinia sappan). Usually it takes an entire day for one weaver to weave a Pulppaya of 183 cm length and 91.5 cm width. The Pulppaya is a cool seating material and is widely used in the State during the summer even today. Other articles like bags, table mats, wall hangings, etc are also woven of this grass. An industry common in Palakkad and Thrissur districts, these mats and other articles have found a large international market. And they have been exported to Canada, Germany, the U.S., the U.K., Italy, New Zealand etc, for decades.

The Pulppaya has a market in the rest of India too, especially in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta. The comparatively cheaper mat may cost you Rs 45/ to 800/per piece depending on the size, texture and design.

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

[minisoji]

Fibrecrafts



Dolls as light as feather, mats, purses, bags, bangles, wall hanging, even parts of dresses... The list of handmade fibre articles is endless and is best left to the creativity of the craftsmen. A product of the cottage industry, these articles reach the cities from many hamlets across the state. Usually white or flaxen, these fibres are obtained from plants like the banana (stem), pineapple (leaves) etc. The soft, silky texture of the fibre gives a glazed finish to the products. These fibres are twisted, tanned and then dyed with pigments, before they are woven intricately into these numerous articles. Fibrecraft articles are available in fancy stores, the SMSM Institute a state owned handicrafts emporium at Thiruvananthapuram and are also sold by street vendors at different tourist destinations. These articles are not too expensive and last a lifetime if used with care and kept in dust free environs.

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

[minisoji]

Nilavilakku: The lighted lamps



The Nilavilakku is integral to all the rituals and ceremonies in a Malayalee's (Keralite) life.

As dusk creeps in, young girls of the family bring the lighted lamps (nilavilakku) to the verandah of the house. In the flickering light of the nilavilakku she is joined by the children and elders of the family, especially the grandparents, in chanting hymns and evening prayers. Lighting the nilavilakku on any occasion is believed to be auspicious.

The huge nilavilakku plays an important role at the presentation of various art forms since most of them are performed at night in the light of the traditional lamp. You can buy one from a handicrafts emporium or a paathrakada (exclusive kada or shop for steel, copper and iron household utensils).

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

[minisoji]

The gold jewellery of Kerala



The Keralite's love for gold can be traced back to very ancient days itself. Even from those days each community or caste had its own traditional designs of ornaments which were made specially by the family goldsmith. But the modern days see an entirely different trend. The boom in the fashion industry has brought all these the traditional designs and the modern patternsunder one roof, namely the jewellery shops. Irrespective of religion or caste, most women in Kerala wear gold ornaments and it forms an inevitable part of most religious and social occasions like marriages. The main ritual in the Kerala wedding ceremony is the thaalikettu, the tying of the sacred nuptial thread on which is stringed the 'thaali' a tiny leaf shaped gold plate, which marks the sacred bond of marriage. The Christians have a little cross engraved on the 'thaali'. The most outstanding piece of the Christian women's jewellery collection used to be the enormous ring worn on the upper ear lobe. Muslim women also have their distinctive earrings, necklaces and elaborately designed articles for the waist (Odyanam). Gold ornaments are made in almost all parts of the state. Thrissur in central Kerala has always been a shopping paradise for traditional gold jewellery. The jewel street in Thrissur is famous for having the maximum number of jewellery shops on a single lane. The popular traditional ornaments are Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram (ring), gold necklaces like Manonmani, Ilakkathali, Poothali, Palaykkamala, Mangamala, Dalamini, Chuttiyum Chelum and Puliyamothiram. Ear studs like Jimikki, Kannuneerthulli, Thoda etc; bangles like Kappu, stones, pearls and enamel painted bracelets etc. also are popular items. The ornament worn around the waist inside the dress is called Aranjanam which is usually a thin chain but those worn by the Muslim women like a 'belt' over their dress are called Odyanam. These Odyanams are usually broad and have intricate designs.

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

[macrylinda1]

Simple and elegant, the beautifully crafted coir products of Kerala give an aesthetic touch to any home or office. Crafted by the women of the picturesque coir villages of the land of coconuts, the innovative range of products include mats, rugs, wall hangings, door pieces, bags, hammocks, ceiling/floor furnishing, beds, cushions, little showpieces, blinds... Made from the husk of the coconut, coircraft is a long drawn out process. First the coconut husks in huge quantities are left to decay in the backwaters surrounding these villages. Once the softer parts decay and only the fibre remains, it is collected and woven into ropes on indigenous machines. These are then dyed and meticulously crafted to fill orders. Most of the coir industry is concentrated in the Kollam and Alappuzha districts. Over four hundred thousand people, of whom nearly 84 per cent are women, are engaged in coir making, one of the traditional industries still surviving, in Kerala. You can pick up these coir products from the showrooms of the Kerala State Cooperative Coir Marketing Federation (Coirfed) across the country. The Coirfed site on the internet offers facilities to choose or contribute designs and to place your orders. These environment friendly articles will be shipped to you within days of receiving your orders. Prices range from less than a hundred rupees to a few thousands depending on the texture and size of the article ordered.

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[dogu]

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