Artifacts of Kerala

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Aranmula Kannadi



Aranmula, this small village is worldfamous for its metal mirrors with no refraction, the 'Aranmula Kannadi' ( kannadi means mirror in Malayalam). The technology for this is not used anywhere else in the world. Since the spectacular snakeboat races starting from midSeptember that is a particularly good time to visit Aranmula. Those of you who are artistically inclined should check out the fine 18th century murals in Parthasarathi temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, on the banks of the river Pampa. You could also stop by at the Vijnana Kalavedi, centre for training in traditional art forms and the Vastuvidya Gurukulam, a centre for consultancy and training in traditional architecture.

Getting there
Nearest railway station: Chengannur, which is about 10 km away.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 115 km away.

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

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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

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Chennamangalam handloom attains a touch of class



Chennnamangalam handloom is renowned for its quality and is making its way into the world of textile glitterati. The handloom products from Chennamangalam always commanded a steady demand in the market. But with the influx of the power loom and other mainstream textile products the market share of Chennamangalam handloom products began to take a back seat. But no more!Chennamangalam is reviving with more flashy and trendy designs to match the best in the industry.
With the introduction of new designs, the genuine products from Chennamangalam are here to make a strong fashion statement. An exhibition of newly designed products was held in Chennamangalam recently. With an impressive range of products, the handloom workers are mainly aiming for the export market.

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

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Durable earthen ware of Moolampilly



This relatively lesser known village, surrounded by backwaters, has one thing to achieve fame - its durable earthen ware. In the early 70's, the joke that made the rounds in the retail market was the comparison of clay pots of Moolampilly to that of bombs made in Pakistan that never exploded on dropping.

The Moolampilly earthen pot has its own charm and durability. The goodwill built over generations gave birth to a society namely the Moolampilly Kaliman Society way back in 1962.

It is said that it was the AngloIndian community that started the pot-making in Moolampilly. The specialties of Moolampilly pots are that they are fully handmade. Three decades back they also started manufacturing Tandoori ovens and today most of such ovens under use in renowned five star hotels bear the Moolampilly trademark.

Earlier, about 100 odd families of the island were engaged in pot making but toady, the figure has come down drastically. The Society with its rundown factory is trying to revamp the business with the help of some Christian missionary groups.

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

[minisoji]

Coircrafts



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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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