Aranmula a small village in KERALA is renowned for making a wonderful type of Metal Mirror called 'Aranmula Kannadi'. This unique metal mirror of Aranmula, reflects a rich cultural as well as metallurgical heritage of a golden past in the history of Kerala. The British Museum in London keeps an eighteen inch tall Aranmula Metal Mirror, which speaks of its uniqueness. The origin of the metal mirrors of Aranmula is closely laced with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.The legend has it that eight families of experts in temple arts and crafts were brought by the royal chief to Aranmula from Tirunelveli district in connection with certain works in the Parthasarathy temple centuries ago. There are only a few families in the world who practice the art of making Metal Mirrors. Some undisclosed metals are alloyed with copper and tin to cast the Metal Mirror. The polishing can go on for one to two days so as to achieve highly reflective surfaces.
During the Sangom Age (BC200-AD600) is the time when many famous Tamil literary works were compiled. Many of these sets of poems like Puranaru and Akanaru mentions about Verakalu, the stone laid down for the valiant hero, and also of the martially inclined practices that were rampant among the people during that period. The Kalaripayattu has been used repeatedly in these anthologies.
A lifetime possession. The Aranmula mirror is made from an alloy of copper, white lead, silver and bronze mixed in a particular ratio. The alloy mix pours into a clay mould which will be broken after cooling. This is a precision work. Even after taking utmost care 40% will be damaged in the de-moulding process. After hours-long polishing the mirror is fixed in a flittering ornated brass frame with handle. In some cases the frame is mounted on beautifully carved wooden stand as per the choice of customer. One mirror, obtained from Aranmula, is in the pride possession of Queen Elizabeth. This mirror is held by two carved elephants (left and right) mounted on a carved wooden stand.The rdinary medium size hand mirror costs around Rs 1000/- Handicrafted and standmounted will cost more.
Bamboo mat painting is one of the major craft in Kerala. The artisans initially makemats of required size as canvas and paint on it. Painting on the mat requires more concentration than ordinary painting. Most of the paintings are human and religious figures, animals, birds, scenery etc. in different size and in attractive colours. The products looks beautiful with bamboo reed frames at the top and bottom.
Kerala is famous for its Bamboo Bonanza - Handicraft products made of Bamboo. House boats, models of ships, measure and any handicraft item you name can be produced with Bamboo.
Screw pine mat weaving is an ancient craft and one of the major cottage industries in Kerala. Three types of mats are woven with Screw pine leaves. The main centres of this craft in Kerala are Karunagapalli Taluk of Kollam Dist, Mavelikkara and Karthikapalli Taluks of Alappuzha dist. Thazava, Vachrai and Vallikunnam Panchayaths, some villages in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam Districts. Screw pine leaves are also woven, hand embroidered and shaped into products like household linen, straw hats, and carry bags
Woodcraft is another the ancient arts of Kerala as is testified to by the temples and churches of the State which abound in wood carvings. Items of furniture like chairs, tables settees, sofas, almirahs, cots, radio castings etc., and models of animals and deities, toys and Kathakali accessories produced by Kerala craftsmen are very much in demand. The models of caparisoned elephants and the carvings of Kathakali dance-dolls are items of popular demand.
Kerala has one of the richest traditions in wood carving. Temples and palaces are the best preservers of the wood-carving styles of Kerala. Doors, windows and ceilings of most of the ancient houses are testimonial of the high level of craftsmanship and tradition of wood carving. Carvings are made on rosewood, sandalwood, cedar wood and teak. Life-size wood carved figures which are highly stylised with exaggerated features, gestures and postures like the characters of Kathakali dance drama, mythological and religious figures were produced. Now items also include intricately carved Elephants in different postures, other animal figures, paper weights, lamp stands, Jewellery Boxes like Nettoor jewellery boxes in its unique conical shape, with brass edgings at the corners, decorative furniture etc. Kerala style of work on sandalwood and rosewood is quite distinct from that prevalent elsewhere.