| Kerala, the Gods own country Situated in India has a | | | | carpets and mattings produced in many attractive |
| rich tradition of Handicrafts. Kerala's traditional | | | | designs and colours find a ready market in India and |
| handicrafts are a class of its own. The artisans of | | | | abroad.Lace and embroidery work of high quality is |
| kerala have traditional expertise in carving in wood, | | | | being done by women in several parts of Kerala. The |
| jewellery design, both gold and silver and also in other | | | | Talangara village of Kasaragod taluk is famous for the |
| mediums. Making idos and figures in metaletc. The | | | | textile cap making industry. The cotton caps |
| gifted artisans makes beautiful idols of Lord Krishna, | | | | manufactured here find a ready market in the African |
| Ganesh, Goddess Saraswathi, Lakshmi etc. in sandal | | | | and Gulf countries.Ivory carving is another traditional |
| wood ,elephants in rose wood and other art works in | | | | art of Kerala. The art was given an impetus by Swati |
| varieties of other woods.Life size models of | | | | Tirunal Maharaja. An ivory throne made by Swati |
| Kathakali, and models depiciting snake boat race of | | | | Tirunal is still preserved as a show piece. The |
| kerala are exclusive masterpieces of kerala aritisans. | | | | craftsmen engaged in this art at present produce a |
| The idols of Lord Nataraja in dancing posture and the | | | | variety of models of mythological characters, animals, |
| various lamps (vilakku) which are essential for every | | | | birds, cigarette cases etc., to cater to different |
| ceremonies of keralities are also created by | | | | tastes. A typical specimen of ivory carving produced |
| artisans.Industrial arts and handicrafts form an | | | | in Kerala is that of the snake boat (Chundan vallam) |
| invaluable part of the Cultural heritage of Kerala. Metal | | | | and it is cherished by tourists to the State as a |
| crafts have the pride of place among the traditional | | | | memento. The craftsmen engaged in ivory carving |
| arts. Bell-metal casting is an old time industrial art. It | | | | also use other materials like the buffalo born for |
| has involved mainly two kinds of activities. Images or | | | | practicing their art.The jewelry of Kerala is noted for |
| idols of deities made out of copper, bronze and brass | | | | its artistic perfection. Each caste or community had |
| are used for consecration in temples and other | | | | its typical ornament. An ornament of the Nair women |
| religious purposes. Huge Varpus (shallow basins of | | | | was Nagapadam or serpent hood, so called after the |
| hemispherical shape), multi-layered lamps and | | | | shape of the pendant. An ear ornament called Toda, |
| household utensils are all made of these metals. | | | | a double convex disc, was worn after dilating the |
| These products are noted for their high degree of | | | | earlobes. Mukkuthi was an ornament for nose and |
| perfection.Lamps of the most artistic beauty are also | | | | Kappu for the wrist. The most important ornaments |
| made by Kerala craftsmen. The Greek lamp | | | | for the neck were Addyal, Yantram, Avil Mala and Puli |
| (Changalavatta), the Archana lamp, the Arati Dipa | | | | Nakham. Cherutali was a kind of necklace worn loose |
| etc., deserve mention in this context. The Aranmula | | | | over the breast by Namboodiri women while Kasu |
| metal mirror has attained fame among the products | | | | Mala and Oddyanam were used by Tamil Brahmin. A |
| of the bell metal industry. A product of an accident in | | | | kind of heavy guilt brass ring called Mekka Motiram |
| metal casting, it is made of an alloy of copper and tin | | | | was worn by Christian women after boring their ears |
| and resembles the glass mirror in every respect in | | | | in several places.Ottezhapathakkam, Kombu, Tala |
| point of utility. The Koftagari work, one of the | | | | etc., were also typical Christian ornaments. Though |
| popular metal crafts of India, is also being practiced | | | | most of the traditional ornaments mentioned above |
| by a few artisans in Trivandrum. Figures of deities, | | | | have become defunct now, the Kerala women are |
| landscapes, floral designs and fancy articles of a wide | | | | still found of ornaments, and jewelry items like |
| variety are produced in Koftagari.Wood craft is one | | | | necklaces, bangles, chains, earrings, studs etc., are |
| of the ancient arts of Kerala as is testified to by the | | | | now made by Kerala goldsmiths in a variety of |
| temples and churches of the State which abound in | | | | attractive designs.Apart from the main crafts |
| wood carvings. Items of furniture like chairs, tables | | | | described above, there are also a few others which |
| settees, sofas, almirahs, cots, radio castings etc., and | | | | deserve mention. Granite carving is one such art, |
| models of animals and deities, toys and Kathakali | | | | which is mainly centred in Chengannur. The granite |
| accessories produced by Kerala craftsmen are very | | | | workers manufacture a variety of articles like idols, |
| much in demand. The models of caparisoned | | | | household equipment, pillars, survey stones etc., |
| elephants and the carvings of Kathakali dance-dolls | | | | which are in great demand. The manufacture of |
| are items of popular demand.The craftsmen of Kerala | | | | musical instruments like Chenda, Maddalam, |
| have also developed a variety of handicrafts using | | | | Mridangam, Edakka etc., is done in some places. The |
| the rich wealth of flora in the State. Screwpine mat | | | | costumes and accessories required in Kathakali and |
| weaving is one of such handicrafts. Such articles as | | | | Teyyam are being manufactured by some |
| pillow covers, cushions, vanity bags, purses, hats etc., | | | | craftsmen.In Tellicherry, the home of Indian circus, |
| are also made of screw pine. The art of weaving | | | | the peculiar kinds of umbrella required by circus |
| bamboo-reed mats, baskets and fancy articles is also | | | | companies are manufactured. Being a maritime State, |
| one of the simplest of Kerala handicrafts. Kora grass | | | | Kerala has its own handicrafts based on marine |
| is similarly used for making mats of different sizes | | | | materials. Conch-shell articles like paper weight, pin |
| and colours.Rattan is used in the manufacture of | | | | cushions, ashtrayas, studs etc., are made by |
| articles of daily use like chairs, settees, teapoys, | | | | craftsmen in the Trivandrum area. In Kasaragod area |
| cradles, trays, shopping bags and a variety of other | | | | articles like bangles, vanity bags and name boards are |
| utility-cum-fancy articles. The coconut shell is used for | | | | made of glass beads. Thus the legacy of Kerala in |
| the manufacture of such articles of utility and beauty | | | | the field of arts and crafts is a rich and varied |
| as lamp stands, flower vases, ashtrays etc. Coir | | | | one.Jayachandran. |