Arts and Crafts in Kerala

In a land where coconut trees abound like the air you breathe, most of the Arts and Crafts in Kerala are wickered and engraved around the coconut. The state is famed also for its cast bell metal work, jewelry, granite idols, pillars, coir, coconut shell products, wood carvings - especially that of rosewood or sandalwood - snake boat models and other figurines. Arts and Crafts in Kerala majorly comprise the Kerain - the coconut palm. (Kerala could well have derived its name from it - the land of coconut palm). Coir, the fiber of coconut, is extensively used in the arts and crafts all the way from Cochin to Alleppey.

Once in this colorful country, you will obtain a first-hand encounter of the arts and crafts in Kerala through the numerous roadside booths vending doormats, wall-hangings and carpets that are extended in a gorgeous exhibition. As a visitor, you cannot help but be fascinated by the expertise of the coir crafters who spin the fibers into the ropes using traditional hand spindles. The spun fiber finds their way to the coir factories from where they are exported abroad.

Coconut shells and coconut wood sparkle like marble when polished. They are used by the crofters to create souvenirs and trinkets. However, one often finds it difficult to distinguish between wares made of coconut shells and tortoise shells, the latter being forbidden. A bulk of these handicrafts is exported. These include: polished coconut ashtrays, lamp stands, flower vases, reed mats, purses, bags and carved wooden furniture.

Buffalo-horn carving is very much in vogue with the horn pared and whittled into various artistic frames. It has attractive translucency and is most evident when it is carved with wood resembling ebony. Beautifully grained teak, scarlet rosewood and the fragrant sandalwood are preferred. The metal-ware of Kerala especially the beautiful oil lamps that are either free-standing or hanging. The hanging lamps include: horse lamps, elephant lamps and bird lamps. Finally, Kerala is a bourgeoning state that summons visitors with the enchantment of its native Arts and Crafts.