Situated in the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent, we have a state which is famous for its authentic products, inheriting a rich culture from an age old heritage. Famous for its mural paintings and coir products, Kerala is a state which is full of natural beauty. A thriving society with the highest rate of literacy in the country. This is a state which is blessed with talented creativity, aptly reciprocated in the kind of handicrafts produced by this state. When you buy any product which is from this region, you are not only buying a product but you are buying a part of Kerala’s extended heritage.
- Mural paintings
Kerala mural paintings are frescos depicting mythological legends or traditional folklore. Sketching vibrant images on them walls of different temples and churches in South India, primarily in Kerala. Ancient temples, churches, and palaces in Kerala, display an abounding tradition of mural paintings mostly dating back to the 9th & 12th centuries CE when this art form enjoyed Royal patronage.
The traditional style of mural art uses natural pigments and vegetable colors. Mural paintings are being revived by a new generation of artists, actively involved in the research and development of mural art, even teaching this cultural art form at the Sree Sankara Sanskrit College in Kalady and a mural art school associated with the Guruvayoor temple.
2. Coir products
Coconut fiber extracted from coconut husks is used to manufacture coir. With the abundance of coconut trees in Kerala, it has become the home of Indian coir industry, particularly in white fiber. Kerela accounts for 61 percent of coconut production and over 85 percent of coir products. Fifty percent of the available coir husk is used to produce coir products. Coir has been employed in Kerala for many centuries, but a regulated coir industry emerged only in the mid-19th century, when James Darragh, set up the country’s first coir factory at Alappuzha.
Talented artisans give this raw and rough coir a magical texture; henceforward the coir is turned into a multitude of products. Traditionally Coir is used to make ropes, brooms, brushes, doormats, rugs, and mattresses. Among all the goods produced out of coir fiber, the most sought-after products are mat and bed.
The popularity of these value-added products such as coir pith and coco lawn form the backbone of Coir industry. Coir pith is the by-product of coir industry, as it is used as a soil conditioner. Because Coir Pith absorbs and retains water easily it is in high demand in water-limited areas.
3. Nettipattam
Nettipattam is a traditional item, used to decorate elephants in the time of Poorams and festivals. Nettipattam is a shining ornament which embellishes the forehead of an elephant. The golden texture of Nettipattam makes it an absolute eye candy, during them festivals of Kerala.
Nettipattam is a great ornament worn by elephants during festivals in Kerala. Legend has it that Lord Brahma designed the Nettipattam. While Iravath, the white elephant of Lord Indra, was the first elephant to be ever adorned by a nettipattam. The caparison, which is a part of Hindu astrological art, represents the entire collection of gods in Hinduism.
4. Nilavilakku
Nilavilakku is mainly made out of bronze or brass. Usually, cotton wicks rinsed in oil or ghee are used for lighting the auspicious lamp. There are three techniques to lighting the lamp. In one, only one wick is lit; henceforward it is directed towards the deity and in the other, there are two lit wicks, placed in two separate directions. The third alternative is to light five wicks in five directions.
The happiness spread by them lights of Nilavilakku on any occasion is believed to be the harbinger of prosperity and happiness. Nilavilakku plays a major role in the presentation ceremonies of many events. The art forms are performed once the lamps are lit. Inaugurating many functions in Kerela by lighting the Nilavilakku.
Visit Baazkart and buy these products today, and send us a selfie of you with your latest product, and stand a chance to win exciting gift vouchers, while you dwell deeper into the traditional culture of Kerala, and immerse yourself within the splendor of this beautiful region.
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