Artisans of Kerala

Kerala is renowned for its intricate art and exclusive craftsmanship. Over the years, God’s own country has established itself as a trail blazer in the traditional art and craft  

  Kerala is the land of infinite possibilities and a traveller’s absolute delight. The rich art and cultural heritage of Kerala is still intact and has not lost its grandeur, amidst the steady progress in growth and development over the years.

     The very essence of traditional Kerala is brought to life in the form of coconut shell craft, coir products, wooden cravings, bamboo products, mural paintings, handloom and khadi products etc. Items made from coconut shells are one of the most popular crafts in this land of coconuts. They include cups, animal figurines, flower vases, snuff boxes, nut bowls, spoons, etc. 

     Similarly, the coir board is one of the largest thriving traditional industries of Kerala, offering employment to a large sector of people in the coastal areas, mostly women. Coir is used to make a wide range of carpets, door mats, floor rugs and decorative items in intricate designs and colours. 

     Besides coconut craft and coir, Kerala holds one of the richest traditions in wood carving. The numerous temples and royal palaces stand testimony to the preservation of the wood-carving styles of Kerala. Carvings are made on rosewood, sandalwood, cedar wood and teak and include items like sophisticated elephant carvings, paper weights, lamp stands, jewellery boxes, decorative furniture, etc. Horn carving is an ancient craft practiced mainly by artisans belonging to Viswakarma community in Thiruvananthapuram. A wide range of products like flower set, birds, animals, combs, cigarette cases, lamps, etc., are made out of horn.
 

     The incredible craftsmanship of the traditional artisans of Kerala is a fascination for tourists visiting the state and the vast range of innovative products is sure to sweep them off their feet. Most tourists visiting the state, treasure memories in the form of souvenirs. “When my foreign clients from UK and Australia visit Kerala, I usually gift them a Kettuvallom (rice barge), Nilavilakku (traditional brass lamp), Kathakali showpieces or Nettipattam (caparison for elephants) and they absolutely love it”, remarked Joe Mathew, who runs a software firm in Kochi. 

     Other commonly chosen mementos include Aranmula Kannadi (metal mirror), Uruli (wok), Para (brass miniature of a traditional measuring vessel), Nettoor petti (traditional jewellery box), handloom products like Kasavu sari (sari woven with golden brocade) and mural paintings among many others.

Crafts apart, traditional gold jewellery is in vogue now. Talk as much about being trendy and changing with the times, but women in Kerala continue to hold their traditions close to heart. “The traditional jewellery is not just a decorative piece but has inherent meaning and symbolic value attached to it”, says Sasi, sales executive at Anupama Jewellery in Kochi. Karimani mala, mullamottu mala, pathakkam, elakkathali and manga mala find many takers in Kerala. “The demand for Singapore made ornaments is long gone. Among the traditional ones, kasu mala, palakka mala and mullamottu mala are more in demand”, adds Sasi.