Arts and Crafts of Kerala

Table of Content

• Mural Paintings
• Kalamezhuthu Pattu
• Coconut Shell Handicrafts
• Paper Mache
• Coir Crafts
• Banana Fibre Products.
• Balarampuram, Chendamangalam, and Kuthampully Handlooms
• Aranmula Mirrors
• Metal Crafts
• Wooden Crafts

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 Kerala'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. The earliest examples of Kerala Mural can be found in the Thirunadhikkara Cave Temple, now in Tamil Nadu, and the Tiruvanchikulam murals, Kerala. 

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. 

Kathakali Mask Painting

Kathakali is a traditional dance-drama known for its vibrant and expressive masks. Dating back to the 17th century, it is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and local folklore. Kathakali masterfully weaves together music, dance, and acting, predominantly narrating tales from the Indian epics ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’. Traditionally, the masks are made from paper-mache, wood, and cloth, painted with natural dyes. To accentuate the clarity of the Mudras, some characteris embellish their left fingers with elongated nails made of steel or silver. Performers also frame their faces with a distinctive white border, known as Chutti, traditionally crafted from thick drawing sheets. It serves to draw the audience’s focus to the performer’s inner facial expressions and eyes. 

The masks are adorned with intricate crowns and headgears, featuring large bulging eyes and elaborate designs on the cheeks and forehead. Floral and vine patterns grace the headgear and mask edges, while stylised eyebrows and moustaches enhance the facial features. The masks incorporate mythological symbols, including serpents or divine forms, and skillfully represent character traits - portraying goodness or satvik in green, and evil or tamsik in red or black.

Theyyam Mask Painting

Theyyam dance serves as a storytelling tradition, weaving tales from local folklore, ancestral legends, and themes of justice, honour, and divine intervention. In the traditional Theyyam dance of Kerala, the masks play a pivotal role, embodying a deep-rooted symbiosis between art and spirituality. Crafted from Areca Palm wood, a material chosen for its malleability and local abundance, these masks are adorned with palm leaves, a nod to the sustainable practices ingrained in this art form. The vibrancy is achieved through a bright colour palette of orange, white, yellow and red, each selected for its cultural and symbolic significance in Hindu mythology and local folklore. 

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.