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NETTOR
BOX
These
boxes are traditionally used for preserving the Kathakali Costumes.
There are normally being painted for artistic appeal. Brass cut
out design and hinges fitted for these boxes to use them for keeping
the valuable known as 'Abharana Petti'. Mainly Rosewood is used
for manufacture.
ROSE
WOOD
The
large number of temples scattered throughout and the door, windows
and ceilings of most of the ancient houses are testimonial of
the high level of craftsmanship and tradition of Rosewood carving.
Statutory and relief work were of a high order of perfection in
wood craft. The main theme of carving in those days were drawn
out of mythology. With the cessation of the temple building activities
in the state by 18th century and urged by the necessities of the
modern society, the ancient wood craft of Kerala took a surprisingly
new form to carve items like Elephant, Tiger, Deers etc. in different
poses to suit as paper weight, book ends, lamp stands etc. Decorative
furniture also produced in large quantities besides the individual
to suit to figures with realistic appeal of different tastes.
BELL
METAL
Metal
as
a media of expression by the craftsman weather it is for creating
objects to meet the religious commitments or for meeting the domestic
necessities of common man, has the tradition going back to the
second millennium B. C. The studies also revealed that the metal
alloys have been in use for workshop art in India from time immemorial,
perhaps as old as lamps, bells and other temple requirements and
utensils to meet the customary requirements of the public is yet
another form the metal craft practiced mainly in Kerala.
COCONUT
SHELL
Of
all the materials used for carving, coconut shells the hardest
medium. Consequently, high degree of skill is required for carving
coconut shell items. The usual items of manufacture are cups,
flower vases, snuff boxes, sugar basins, nut bowls, powder boxes
and spoons. The brass broidered coconut shell articles which have
come into existence is an admirable deviation from the usual coconut
shell carving. Ever since the arabs took interest in the brass
broidered coconut shell hookahs, the trade had maintained a certain
continuity. The craft is mostly concentrated in calicut district.
The shells are cut into proper sizes or shapes by using a handsaw.
Specially made chisels are used for carving the shells.
SCREW
PINE
Screw
pine mat weaving is one of the major cottage industries in Kerala.
Three types of mats are woven with Screw pine leaves. As regards
the history of this craft, it can be said that Screw pine mat
weaving has existed for more than 800 years. Embroidery on Screw
pine mats is a commendable deviation from the ordinary cloth embroidery.
This craft concentration areas are Karunagapalli Taluk of Kollam
Dist, Mavelikkara & Karthikapalli Taluks of Alappuzha dist. Thazava,
Vachrai and Vallikunnam Panchayaths, some villages in Thiruvananthapuram
& Kottayam Districts.
HORN
CARVING
Horn
carving in Kerala has been in existence from time to time immemorial.
The craft is mainly concentrated in Thiruvananthapuram . artisans
belonging to Viswakarma Community are mainly practicing this craft.
A wide range of utility and decorative items like flower set,
birds, animals, combs & cigarette cases etc. are made out of horn.
BAMBOO
REED PAINTINGS BAMBOO MAT PAINTINGS
Bamboo
mat painting is one of the major craft which requires more concentration
and devote as well as an artistic mind with the craft person.
Most of the paintings are gods, goddess, animals, birds, scenery
etc. in different size and in attractive colours. The craft persons
initially make mat of required size as canvas of draw the sketch
according to the required painting, finishing with bamboo reed
frames at bottom and top with a tag for handing to complete the
painting.
LACE
AND EMBRODIERY
Essentially,
an alien craft, this industry was introduced sometime early in
the Christian Era by a colony of Syrians who settled in Kerala.
The present form of embroidery is of a recent origin and it is
believed that the London Mission Society gave a start to it during
first quarter of the 19th century. The main concentration for
embroidery and lace work are Eravipuram, Changanassery, Kottayam,
Pala, Parrasala, Trissur and Cannoor. In the matter of pillow
lace, the entire lace work is done by passing fine thread attached
to wooden pages around pins fixed on a cardboard while in embroidery
work, the designs are first drawn on the cloth by hand or copied
through a stencil. The embroidery work is done only after selecting
the different colours to form an attractive pattern.
MENTAL
INLAY IN WOOD LAMINATED WOOD
The
laminated wood craft originated in and around Ernakulam District
in Kerala around 1975. Rosewood, Plywood, Whitewood and brass
metal pieces are the main raw materials used in the craft. The
rosewood and whitewood are cut into required sizes and pasted
on the plywood pieces according to the various designs by using
araldite as adhesive. After drying, the entire piece is fixed
into the lathe machine for turning. Generally sheenlac is used
for final polishing. The brass metal pieces are fixed in different
designs to make the final product ready. The product rare include
Anjali Face, Dancing Lady, Peacock, Candle Stand, Star Wheel,
Kathakali Heads, Wheel of Furniture, Key Stand and Butterfly etc.
JOINT
WOOD ARTICLES JOINT WOOD TABLE MAT
Having
the recent origin this craft is only concentrated in and around
Quilandi of Calicut District. Rose Wood, Coconut Stem and Soft
Wood (Karimuruku) are the three varieties of wood used as raw
material for making the laminated joint wood table mats. The wood
sliced into small sizes of diamond shape by using table saw machine,
holes are made crosswise, jointed together by using nylon thread
to form the mats of deferent shapes and sizes. The mats are given
a coating of mansion polish by using cotton cloth and after sometime
rubber to get fine finishing. Star mat, Flower mat, oblong mat,
stripped mat are the most popular designs. The laminated joint
wood table mats are used as table mats as well as wall decorates.
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