Kerala, or as it is commonly known as, God’s own country, is a coastal state rich in numerous art and craft traditions. Its geographical location has played an important role in the choice of materials for handicrafts, with objects made using coconut sheet, cane and metals, specifically bronze, being used in abundance. Let us look through some of the arts and crafts of Kerala in brief.
Mural Paintings
It is well-known that India is abundant in its knowledge of philosophy, spirituality, and mythology, which comes from multiple epics and narratives. Many classical artworks in India are rooted in these time-honoured perceptions and understandings. This also holds for Kerela's mural artworks. Murals are artworks painted onto large wall surfaces. The birth of the Kerala murals can be traced back to the 7th century CE. Apart from deriving its themes from various Vedic texts, such as episodes revolving around Visnu and Shiva, Kerala murals are also rich in their representation of a wide variety of flora, fauna, and other nature-inspired elements. The application of naturally derived pigments such as yellow, red ochre, green, black, and white, is what brings them to life. Curvaceous bodies, sensual eyes, and characters represented in their graceful motions are some of the other elements that add richness and inspire wonders in the eyes of the beholders. Additionally, artists are required to maintain a high level of accuracy while working on their masterpieces.
Ananthashayanam Kerala Mural Painting by Adarsh
Kalamezhuthu Pattu
The maestros who devote their time to creating floor art during the Kalamezhuthu festival celebrated in God’s own country are not just traditional artists but devotees, worshipping the great deities of the land. The most prominent deities worshipped during this event are Bhadrakali, Vettakkorumukan, Ayyapan, Bhagavati, and Sarappa. The word “Kalamezhuthu Pattu” is made up of 3 terms: kalam meaning a picture, ezhuttu meaning to draw, and, Pattu, meaning a song. Simply put, kalamezhuthu pattu is a ritual of drawing deities on the floor and singing reverent songs. The final step involves erasing the drawing through a ceremonial dance. Kalamezhuthu or kalam pattu is usually executed by male artists or by male members of the household. The pigments used in this case are obtained from natural sources: rice flour for white, charcoal powder for black, turmeric powder for yellow, leaves for green, and a mixture of turmeric and lime to obtain red. Besides the Puttu Kurups, other communities that observe the 40-day kalam pattu festival include Kuravar, Vannan, Malayan, Parayan to name a few.
Kalamezhuthu pattu
Coconut Shell Handicrafts
Coconut is one of the most versatile plants, with every part used for a variety of purposes. The fact that Kerala is one of the major producers of coconut contributes significantly to the region’s rich tradition of coconut shell handicrafts. The sturdiness of the coconut shells makes them excellent for the handicrafters to showcase their skills. Coconut shells are used not only for making decor items but also for crafting a variety of utensils such as teapots, cups, and bowls. These sustainable handicrafts are not only bio-friendly but also support local artisans and preserve Kerala's traditional craftsmanship.
Coconut Shell Handicrafts
Paper Mache
The widely acclaimed dance of Kathakali, with its elaborate costumes, gestures, and expressions, is supremely theatrical. The honed Kathakali performer has to do justice to the components of Abhinaya (the process of enacting) as specified in Sage Bharata’s Natyashastra. Makeup and expressions are integral to the dramatic performance, as no dialogue is involved throughout the act. The creators of Kathakali paper mache masks strive to bring out some details and expressions unique to the performers. These masks have elaborate headgear, painted faces and foreheads, made out of organic materials like paper, water, and glue.
Kathakali Face in Chhau Mask by Dharmendra Sutradhar
Coir Crafts
The ancient town of Alleppey, now called Alappuzha, is the birthplace of the coir industry. Owing to its rich resources of coconut and palm trees, the Alappuzha district of Kerala has long been the thriving abode for coir products. The making of coir products like mattresses, and floor furnishings, is quite long and laborious. Craftsmen skillfully blend both mechanical and traditional methods to achieve exceptional results. The age-old processes include soaking up the outer layer for six months and manually separating the fibre. The fibre is bundled and put in a Retting machine. Through a machine, locally termed Kudu, this golden fibre is then refined.
Coir Crafts
Banana Fibre Products
Another plant fibre extensively used in Kerala to create a wide range of items is banana fibre. The fibres are taken, plaited and arranged in various shapes and sizes. Some products made of this fibre are wall hangings, baskets, door mats, table mats, pouches, trays, jewellery boxes and even traditional sarees. Kerala’s artisans are masters of sustainability. The best part is that banana handicrafts are gradually becoming more popular.
Banana Fibre Products
Balarampuram, Chendamangalam, and Kuthampully Handlooms
Gold zari borders splayed on a simple, white cotton fabric have an unmatched charm, and the local handloom industries of Kerala continue to keep this signature style alive while simultaneously showcasing Kerala's traditional craftsmanship. Belarampuram, Chendamangalam, and Kuthampully are 3 major weaving centres of Kerala. Balarampuram textiles feature a simple zari border and are expertly woven around natural cotton yarn. Chendamangalam is somewhat similar to Balarampuram but there is a lesser emphasis on the ornamentation of golden borders. Kathampully weavers are based in the Thrissur district. Kathampully sarees are visibly different from the other two, as they are infused with motifs and are usually woven using half-fine zari. Another noteworthy fact about these textiles was their high patronage by numerous royal families. For instance, the Chendamangalam textiles were supported by the feudal family of Paliam.
Three Major Weaving Centres in Kerala
Aranmula Mirrors
Another incredible craft that continues to survive in today’s time is the handheld metal mirror known as val kannadi. These mirrors are crafted by generational families belonging to the Vishwakarma community in the village of Aranmula, a village renowned not only for the centuries-old craft but also for snake-boat races held during Onam. It is commonly held that keeping an Aranmula kannadi or Aranmula mirror attracts abundance and fortune to the owner. These traditional mirrors are known for their amazing reflecting properties, often equalling or surpassing modern glass mirrors. These gorgeous mirrors are made using metal alloys, and feature reflecting fronts where the light does not pass through any refracting medium, as is the case with glass mirrors. Instead, the reflection is on the top of metal surfaces.
Travancore Mirror, Vishu Kannadi, Travancore Shankh Aranmula Kannadi Mirror with Back Stand, Kerala Handy Mirror, Brass Framed Mirror
Metal Crafts
Whether crafting ornate temple doorways or traditional metal lamps, the bell metal community of Kerala has been successfully contributing to the socio-cultural heritage through their exceptional artistry. But this is not all, the craft extends beyond the traditional and common use. Theyyam, the 800-year-old religious dance form of Payyanur, shares a close link with these bell metal crafters. This connection exists because the village blacksmiths’ craft the ornamental decorations worn by these dancers. This symbiotic relationship between the two art forms is indeed wonderful and one-of-a-kind. In addition to their embellished ornaments, Theyyam dancers carry 24 kinds of metal weapons sacred to the region’s gods and goddesses. The sacred dance of Theyyam is performed in front of the village shrine.
Theyyam
Wooden Crafts
Craftsmen of Kerala are experts in creating stunning woodwork. The woodworks range from handicrafts inspired by temples and Puranic deities, to adorable wooden toys that can be brought for children or gifted as souvenirs. The artisans also show incredible skill in making utility products, which include candle sticks, ashtrays, paperweights, decorative boxes and traditional dancers. Moreover, wooden panels and woodwork have been an integral part of the ancient architecture of the state, both in homes and almost every temple. At times, the carvings are very intricate and for this purpose, Kerelean sandalwoods are frequently chosen by the local artisans.
Wooden Crafts
Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of the Arts and Crafts of Kerala, and we will continue to incorporate more art forms as we come across them. Please contact us at misha@memeraki.com to suggest any additions.
- Ravi, Sandhya. “COLOUR CULTURE and IDENTITY: INFLUENCE of COLOURS on KERALA MURAL ART.” ResearchGate, Jan. 2015, www.researchgate.net/publication/288854646_COLOUR_CULTURE_AND_IDENTITY_INFLUENCE_OF_COLOURS_ON_KERALA_MURAL_ART.
- Adusumilli , Rachana. “Kerala’s Beautiful Eco-Friendly Handicrafts.” Caleidoscope, 12 July 2022, www.caleidoscope.in/art-culture/keralas-beautiful-eco-friendly-handicrafts.
- Thomas, Nimmi Elizabeth. “Decoding the Banana Fiber Craft of Kerala Using a Shape Grammar.” ResearchGate, June 2024, www.researchgate.net/publication/381649426_Decoding_the_banana_fiber_craft_of_Kerala_using_a_shape_grammar.
- Thatavarthi, Gayathri. “Kerala Murals - Artful Tribute to the Gods of Malabar.” Caleidoscope | Indian Culture, Heritage, 16 June 2023, www.caleidoscope.in/art-culture/kerala-mural.
- Mariam, Amia. “The Handloom Industry and Kerala’s Kasavu Saris.” KERELA INSIDER, 25 Aug. 2020, keralainsider.com/the-handloom-kerala-kasavu-saris/.
- “Kalamezhuthu –a Ritual Art Form of Kerala.” Kerala Tourism, www.keralatourism.org/artforms/kalamezhuthu-ritual-art/11/.
- Staff, Cscope. “Kalamezhuthu Pattu – a Divinely Floor Art of Kerala.” Caleidoscope | Indian Culture, Heritage, 17 Oct. 2022, www.caleidoscope.in/art-culture/the-kalamezhuthu-pattu-art.
- Thenchery, Devakumar. “Kalamezhuthu Pattu of Kerala.” Sahapedia, 13 Nov. 2018, www.sahapedia.org/kalamezhuthu-pattu-of-kerala.
- “Welcome to Kerala Tourism - Official Website of Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.” Kerala Tourism, 27 Sept. 2018, www.keralatourism.org/.
- Menon, Vishnu Achutha. “Gestures in Kathakali: A Study on Protagonist and Antagonist Performances in Stories.” Rupkatha, the Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design, 1 Jan. 2018, www.academia.edu/39401815/Gestures_in_Kathakali_a_Study_on_Protagonist_and_Antagonist_Performances_in_Stories.
- https://www.dsource.in/resource/coir-craft-kerala/making-process/coir
- Nair, Karthik S, and Liji Samuel. “Production and Marketing Process of Coir Industry: A Case Study of Alappuzha District.” ResesrchGate, Dec. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/370961623_Production_and_Marketing_Process_of_Coir_Industry_A_Case_Study_of_Alappuzha_District.
- Wells, Meena. “Handlooms of Kerala – Holding onto the Flag of Tradition.” Caleidoscope, 7 Sept. 2022, www.caleidoscope.in/art-culture/handlooms-of-kerala-holding-onto-the-flag-of-tradition.
- Srinivasan, Prof. Sharada. “Metal Mirror Marvel of Aranmula.” Sahapedia, 10 July 2021, www.sahapedia.org/metal-mirror-marvel-aranmula.
- Paul, Savera John and Susan. “See Yourself as You Truly Are in This Mysterious Metal Mirror.” Atlas Obscura, 16 Apr. 2018, www.atlasobscura.com/articles/metal-mirror-kerala-aranmula-kannadi.
- “Crafts of Kerala: Know the Different Forms of Crafts of Kerala.” Testbook, testbook.com/kerala-gk/crafts-of-kerala#:~:text=Table%20lamps%2C%20toys%2C%20and%20paperweights%20are%20a%20few.
0 comments