KERALAGod’s own country

Demographics• Kerala, often referred to as Keralam, is a state in

the south-west region of India on the Malabar coast.

• Kerala is the thirteenth largest state by population and is divided into 14 districts with the state capital being Thiruvananthapuram.

•  Malayalam is the most widely spoken and official language of the state.

Handicrafts• The state of Kerala is affluent in a range of artistic handicrafts. Each of

these Kerala handicrafts showcases decade old traditions. Even the temples of Kerala include many crafts of metal alloys made out of a mixture of brass, tin and copper, which create popular tower-like lamps.

• PRODUCTS:-Brass and Bell Metal Works-Coir and Cane Products-Ivory Works-Lacquer Ware-Sandalwood Carving-Textiles-Wooden Toys-Kathakali Masks-Wood Carving

Bell Metal• Bell metal craft is one of the tradtional craft in

kerala and is an aloy of copper and tin. This craft has won worldwide reputation for its artistic perfection. This craft is mainly practised by crafts persons belonging to a particular community. The bell metal castings are done in the well known method of lost wax process. Major bell metal crafts include traditional lamps, uruli & temple pooja sets etc.

Craft work

Uruli

Mirror

Natraja murti

Coir and Cane• Coir and Cane Products are used to create eco

friendly items like coir mattresses, floor furnishings, mats and other colorful articles. Coir products manufacturing is an important part of the cottage industry in Kerala. Calicut and Kollam are two places that produce these coir products

Craft work

chappals and masks

Coir carpets

Coir and Cane hats

Ivory Carving• Ivory carving is another traditional handicraft of

Kerala. The various items made out of ivory includes mythological characters, showpieces etc.

Ivory and ivory carvings; transformation through craft

Craft work

Ivory work from Kundalagar temple Intricate ivory sculpture Lord shiva

Laquer Ware• Lacquer Ware is the bland of woodcraft and

metal. The artistic woodcarvings created by artisans are given lacquer finish and the finally the product is decorated with precious metals. Ernakulam produces some of the best Lacquer Ware.

Craft work

Painted laquerware pots

Laquerware toys Red laquerware utensils

Sandalwood Carving• Sandalwood Carving is the making of beautiful

products with sandalwood. These products include boxes, small models of animals, ashtrays, Kathakali dance postures, candle stands and so on. Cochin, Trichur, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam have many sandalwood carving industries.

Craft work

Sandalwood sculptures

Intricate elephant sculpture

Chess pieces

Kerala handloom- a glorious tradition

• Kerala’s handloom products have caught the imagination of the world. Renowned for its impeccable quality, elegant designs and characteristic weave, theses wide ranging handloom products are deeply embedded in tradition and culture.

• Kerala sarees bear a stamp of the unique culture and tradition and are distinct from other Indian sarees.

Karaikudi saris • The plain white Karaikudi saris have a woven gold

band on the borders and the pallu. These saris are very famous and are always in high demand.

Karaikudi in color

Balaramapuram sari• The Balaramapuram sari woven in

Thiruvananthapuram district have use of Pure zari for border designs. These saris are processed on the traditional looms with the yarn count of 100 for the wrap and weft is also used.

An insight..

Weaving of a balaramapuram sari Zari rolls

Final product Ready to sell.

Kasavu sari• Kasavu saree is a type of Balaramapuram sari. It

has a Cream body and brown zari border with zari pallu.

Different styles of border

In popular culture…

Sonam Kapoor in Aisha

Asin in an event Rani Mukherjee in a reception

Bibliography • Arts and Crafts of India by Ilay Cooper (Author), John Gillow (Author)• http://www.camelcraft.com/kerala-handicrafts.html• http://

www.craftandartisans.com/textiles-of-kerala.html• http://www.handloom.kerala.gov.in/• http://www.cauveryhandicrafts.net/• http://

www.indianetzone.com/41/metal_craft_kerala.htm• http://www.kstcl.org/• www.googleimages.com