“What moves people’s hearts, in every case, is the unknown. Things that people already know don’t excite them.”
– Kenya Hara
Picture perfect natural beauty, beaches, scenic backwaters, hill stations, and worldwide renowned history. The sprawling greenery, the mouthwatering cuisines, the shimmering backwaters, and the Dravidian culture all have intrigued people worldwide since ages.
The state we are verbalizing about is "Kerala". It is a state on the southwestern Malabar coast of India. Spread over an area of 38,863 sq.km, Kerala is one of the most prominent tourist's destinations with backwaters, hill stations, palm- line beaches, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery as its major attraction.
Besides all of these the major attractions of this state is the art and craft which is inseparable and invaluable for the people. It is a land of arty people. It is renowned for its articulate craftsmanship which is an intimate part of their tradition. One can find exquisite design form and the use of vibrant colors.
There is a wide range of handicrafts available in the markets. One can find numerous shops selling items like carved wood, metal crafts, coir products, coconut shell, snake boat model, rosewood and sandalwood products, gold jewelry and so on..
Come let's go and see how these beautiful and unique items are crafted......
The state we are verbalizing about is "Kerala". It is a state on the southwestern Malabar coast of India. Spread over an area of 38,863 sq.km, Kerala is one of the most prominent tourist's destinations with backwaters, hill stations, palm- line beaches, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery as its major attraction.
Besides all of these the major attractions of this state is the art and craft which is inseparable and invaluable for the people. It is a land of arty people. It is renowned for its articulate craftsmanship which is an intimate part of their tradition. One can find exquisite design form and the use of vibrant colors.
There is a wide range of handicrafts available in the markets. One can find numerous shops selling items like carved wood, metal crafts, coir products, coconut shell, snake boat model, rosewood and sandalwood products, gold jewelry and so on..
Come let's go and see how these beautiful and unique items are crafted......
1. Coconut shell Craft
Coconut shell craft is one of the most popular crafts of Kerala as coconut trees are found in abundance here. A high degree carving skills are required as the coconut shells are hard to carve out pieces from it. The main center of coconut shell craft is Calicut and Alleppey district in Kerala. The products which are produced through this crafts are flowers, cups, snuff boxes, sugar basins, nut bowls, powder boxes, spoons, and today products decorated with brass are also in great demand.
Source: Internet
2. Coir products
Coir, seed-hair fiber obtained from the outer shell, or husk, of the coconut with or without retting. They are lightweight, brittle, strong, and elastic. They can be dyed in any color and are used to manufacture a whole range of different coir products. These coir products are very popular all over the world. The products consist of coir rugs, coir tiles, coir mats, matting for roof surface cooling, mattress, belts, coir mourzouk and many more.
Source: Internet
3. Wood carvings
Woodcraft is one of the ancient craft of Kerala. A large number of temples in Kerala the doors, windows, and ceilings of most of the ancestral homes shows the high level of craftsmanship prevalent in wood carving. The wood mainly used is deep brown teak. The doors and archways have rich wood carvings as religious epics, flowers, foliage, and animal motifs. Elephant carving is also a specialization here and it can be found in different sizes and postures. Sandalwood and Rosewood are also used to make various products which are very famous.
4. Kathakali Masks
Kathakali is recognized for its unique form of makeup and dress. These masks replicate the faces of the Kathakali dancers with the makeup and colors that are applied to their face. These masks are made up of clay, plaster of Paris or papier mache and are ideal decorative items. These base are painted in green colors and then decorated with hairdos and beards. These masks have great significance and are designed according to the mood and character. This green color male masks are hanged in the home as it brings goodness and truth.
5. Embroidery and Lace Making
Kerala was the first landing sites for western nations. One of this art form is the embroidery and lace making. Today this art has spread all over Kerala, producing high quality embroidered clothes and laces. Household linen and fancy clothing these are the two main substance of the embroidery industry of Kerala. These are done by hand using needle works. The designs are first created in stencils and then it is fixed in the wooden pegs to create out the designs. Mainly, handkerchiefs, curtains, bedspreads, sarees, and many more items are created.
6. Screwpine Craft
The screwpine industry of Kerala has a rich history. A screwpine plant resembles the foliage of a palm tree but its leaves are soft and fibrous, protected by small thorns on both the edges. The two type of screwpines are extracted from traditional method and are dyed for further use. These two qualities of screwpine are used in combination with each other. Additional embroidery and patchwork are done to decorate the pieces. Many families of the villages have been producing screw pine fabric to make mats which are one of the famous and one can find other items such as bags, blinds, hats, and tablecloths. Authentic screwpine products can be expensive in some cases.
Woodcraft is one of the ancient craft of Kerala. A large number of temples in Kerala the doors, windows, and ceilings of most of the ancestral homes shows the high level of craftsmanship prevalent in wood carving. The wood mainly used is deep brown teak. The doors and archways have rich wood carvings as religious epics, flowers, foliage, and animal motifs. Elephant carving is also a specialization here and it can be found in different sizes and postures. Sandalwood and Rosewood are also used to make various products which are very famous.
Source: Internet
4. Kathakali Masks
Kathakali is recognized for its unique form of makeup and dress. These masks replicate the faces of the Kathakali dancers with the makeup and colors that are applied to their face. These masks are made up of clay, plaster of Paris or papier mache and are ideal decorative items. These base are painted in green colors and then decorated with hairdos and beards. These masks have great significance and are designed according to the mood and character. This green color male masks are hanged in the home as it brings goodness and truth.
Source: Internet
Kerala was the first landing sites for western nations. One of this art form is the embroidery and lace making. Today this art has spread all over Kerala, producing high quality embroidered clothes and laces. Household linen and fancy clothing these are the two main substance of the embroidery industry of Kerala. These are done by hand using needle works. The designs are first created in stencils and then it is fixed in the wooden pegs to create out the designs. Mainly, handkerchiefs, curtains, bedspreads, sarees, and many more items are created.
Source: Internet
6. Screwpine Craft
The screwpine industry of Kerala has a rich history. A screwpine plant resembles the foliage of a palm tree but its leaves are soft and fibrous, protected by small thorns on both the edges. The two type of screwpines are extracted from traditional method and are dyed for further use. These two qualities of screwpine are used in combination with each other. Additional embroidery and patchwork are done to decorate the pieces. Many families of the villages have been producing screw pine fabric to make mats which are one of the famous and one can find other items such as bags, blinds, hats, and tablecloths. Authentic screwpine products can be expensive in some cases.
Source: Internet
7. Buffalo Horn Carving
The art of using buffalo horn as a raw material is prevalent not only in Kerala, as well as all over India. This art requires patience and skill in general. The process of priming the horn is very important. These sculptures are fine and intricate with several qualities of luster. The bone of the buffalo horn is hard and brittle, to be workable, it is processed using oil for every day and it gets the dark color. Things like paperweights, combs, lampshades, bookstands, ashtrays, jewelry boxes and so on are carved out of rude buffalo horns.
Source: Internet
8. Metal Craft
The state of Kerala has a reputation for its age-old metallurgical heritage. known for its bronze working and various forms like bell metal crafting, the metal craft of Kerala is in great demand today. The main products are idols of Hindu deities, temple bells, oil lamps, and utensils. Other items like the incense holders, copper jugs and water holders, plates, trays, and ashtrays are usually metallic and a part of almost every household in India.
Source: Internet
9. Bamboo Reed Painting
Decorated items created from bamboo have been a part of traditional industries in Kerala. The arts of Bamboo reed painting and creating painted bamboo mats is a part of the state's heritage. These rustic, bamboo mats are coated with a basic pigment. The themes for these paintings are inspired from nature and common birds in flight, herds of animals, trees and other floral aspects. Colors are rich, dark and contrast. White, red and green are the traditional favorites. Partitions, blinds, fans and even photo frames of small pieces of mature bamboo and bamboo grass are popular as durable and embodying a stylistic nature.
Source: Internet
Handicrafts in Kerala are pretty much popular and there is a whole festival dedicated to these handicrafts. These handicrafts are not only famous nationally but they have a great demand international too.
Kerala also makes one of its fine gold jewelry, the designs are of beggar's description though the price is a bit on a higher side. So, in short, we can tell Kerala is a shopaholics paradise one cannot resist themselves from buying these handicrafts.
Apart from all these handicrafts, Kerala is also famous for its cuisine, seafood, temples, architecture, wildlife, festivals. Snake boat model, ivory craft, Lacquer woodwork, cotton map making, lapidary work, granite carving these are also famous here.
Come to Kerala and pick up everything you want we assure you will not dislike any of them!!!!!
