India-Beach.com

Shopping in Kerala


» The Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram: The Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram is a uniquely crafted golden ring shaped like a knot and considered to be a sacred ornament. The sole right to make this holy ring was vested in the hands of a particular family at Payyannur in Kannur district. This ring is believed to be a luck and grace to anyone who wears it with devotion.

» Aranmula Kannadi: Centuries ago the native craftsmen invented a mirror made of metal. The bronze ( odu) workers of Aranmula (Pathanamthitta district) specialize in making the world famous cast metal mirrors with handles known as the Aranmula Kannadi.

» The Nilavilakku: The Nilavilakku is integral to all the rituals and ceremonies in a Malayalee's (Keralite) life. As dusk creeps in, young girls of the family bring the lighted lamps (nilavilakku) to the verandah of the house. In the flickering light of the nilavilakku she is joined by the children and elders of the family, especially the grandparents, in chanting hymns and evening prayers.

Lighting the nilavilakku on any occasion is believed to be auspicious. Huge nilavilakku play an important role at the presentation of various art forms since most of them are performed at night in the light of the traditional lamp.

You can buy one from a handicrafts emporium or a paathrakada (exclusive kada or shop for steel, copper and iron household utensils).

» Model Vessel - Uru: The uru or dhow was the traditional Arabian trading vessel. Once the Arab traders discovered wealthy Kerala, her solid timber, skilled craftsmen and her native technology centuries ago, they shifted their dhow construction to Malabar (northern Kerala).

Beypore in Kozhikode district, the most important harbour in the region, thus became the centre for ship building. The industry thrived here until recently when iron and steel took over as the best material for construction.

Urus were gigantic vessels, created meticulously by nailing together well planed planks of timber. It took a team of fifty men at least four years to complete a vessel.

Today, not many vessels are launched from Beypore and the artisans have taken to crafting little wooden models of their gigantic masterpieces. These four inch to eight foot 'Model Vessels' crafted out of teak wood would cost you anything from Rs.180/- to Rs. 25,000/-.

Fancy artefacts like the models enclosed in bottles are more popular and priced between Rs. 125/- and Rs. 500/-.

You can even get them made-to-order at Kairali, Alakapuri Buildings, Jail Road, Kozhikode Tel:91-495-723723 and at Surabhi, Aradhana Tourist Home Buildings, Kallai Road, Kozhikode Tel: 91-495-301284 or pick one up at a bargain from the local outlets in Beypore.

» Caparisoned elephant miniatures: The more you come to know about our festivals the more you become familiar with phrases like 'caparisoned elephants', 'coloured parasols' etc. In Kerala, the elephant is a part of our lives and almost every house has at least one. You can carry one home in your trunk too. Our craftsmen are skilled at carving out little elephants in wood and stone, and decorating them with little mirrors, beads and embroidery to make them look like the actual caparisoned tusker.

Kerala is famed for its carvings, cast bell metal work, jewellery, granite idols, pillars, coir, coconut shell and sea-shell products, carvings in wood (especially rosewood or sandalwood), snake boat models and other figurines. Each of these crafts is confined to select regions. Craftsmen in Thiruvananthapuram make rosewood elephants besides conch and sea shell articles like paper weights and lamp shades. The actual caparison and decorations for elephants, and other festival paraphernalia are made in Thiruvankulam in Ernakulam district and the adjoining areas of Thrissur.

You can walk into any handicrafts emporium at the tourist destinations in the State and pick up the article of your choice. The SMSM Institute, a state owned emporium in Thiruvananthapuram is the most sought out outlet for such handcrafted items.

» Treasure Chest - Netturpetti: 'Netturpetti', the ethnic jewel box of the Kerala woman was once a mark of the influential families of the land. The casket ( petti) originally designed in the Nettur region of Malabar is testimony of the patience and skill of the artisans who make it. The box usually made of rosewood is fully handcrafted. Every joint, every screw and lock is shaped and chiselled by the hand. The wooden box is first varnished and then fixed with brass frames. Today, this richly embellished box with its conical lid is a collector's item. Very few of the artisans remain and the casket is fast becoming a rare object.

You can pick up a Netturpetti for Rs. 2000/- onwards at the SMSM Institute, a state owned emporium in Thiruvananthapuram.

» Nettippattom: The Keralites' love for gold is reflected even in the manner they adorn their favourite beast. The elephant, which is an integral part of any celebration here, is turned out in full regal splendour for any pageant or procession. The nettippattom (the glittering ornament that adorns the forehead of the elephant) is crafted in gold by a skilled clan of artisans. Nowhere in India is an elephant decorated so extravagantly, or so befittingly.

The making of the nettippattom: Three and a half kilograms of copper and three sovereigns (24 gms) of gold go into the making of a simple nettippattom. It takes not less than 20 days to craft this ornament which is priced between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. The size of the nettippattom varies with that of the elephant. An elephant of 9 to10 ft height would require an ornament of 60" - 66'' in length with at least 11 chandrakkala (crescents) on it.

The nettippattom is today made in Thiruvankulam village of Ernakulam district and the adjoining areas of Thrissur.

» Kasavu Mundu and Kasavu Neryathu: Kasavu Mundu and Kasavu Neryathu, are extremely light pure cotton handlooms edged with golden thread. The golden edging is sometimes touched with contrasting bright colours. They are worn as traditional saris or used as dress material.

A Malayalee (Keralite) woman wearing the mundu and neryathu, with her long black oiled hair tied loosely and strung with a garland of Jasmine, is the very picture of elegance. She hardly uses any facial make-up other than the bindi on the forehead and kajal on her eyes, not to mention the gold ornaments which are her passion. The combination is unique to this land and gives an attractive but natural look. The men wear the mundu around the loin and the neryathu around the shoulders.

» Pepper: Recently one of our guests from Finland reported with great enthusiasm. ''Yesterday I fulfilled one of my greatest ambitions ....". He had visited a pepper plantation the previous day. Many of his friends too shared his excitement having seen the precious pepper in its natural habitat.

In Kerala pepper is cultivated in a mixed crop environment. In Wayanad, pepper is planted amongst coffee plantations, and cultivated on a large scale. Pepper is also a main item in most kitchen gardens of Kerala.

The spice-scented shores of Kerala have beckoned traders from time immemorial, and its allure continues to hold sway even today. The spices trade still dominates the commercial transactions of the State. India, the world's largest exporter of spices, realises three fourths of its total output from the rich plantations of Kerala.

Kerala's spice trade with Babylon and Egypt can be traced back to the 3rd millennium B.C. Cinnamon from Kerala was used in embalming the dead bodies of the Pharaohs and in the manufacture of perfumes and holy oils. King Solomon of Israel (1000 B.C) is recorded to have sent his ships to Kerala for spices. Cinnamon from Kerala first found its way to the Middle East through the Arabs.

» The Paintings of Ravi Varma: Kerala's rich tradition of painting is rooted in its rituals like Kalamezhuthu (pictorial drawings on the floor) and the magnificent frescoes and mural art found in the old temples and churches here. Before the advent of paper and ink, palmyra leaf and vegetable dyes were used here. In modern times Kerala has attained international repute through the works of Raja Ravi Varma.

Prince Ravi Varma(1848-1906)of Kilimanoor Palace of Travancore perfected his skills even at a very early age. He learnt oil painting from Theodor Johnson, an English painter who was then staying at the palace.

Ravi Varma's paintings capture the subtle emotions and sublimity of physique of human characters and nature alike in a realistic manner.

The exquisite works of Ravi Varma are on display at the Sree Chithra Art Gallery. The gallery is located in the Napier Museum compound, Thiruvananthapuram city. It is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Mondays. The gallery also houses the works of Roerich and fascinating works in the Mughal, Rajput and Tanjore schools of art, pieces from the Ajanta and Bagh caves, and an oriental collection from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.

Today, there are two major institutions in Kerala where painting is taught as a subject - The College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram and Govt.Ravi Varma Collegel of Fine Arts, Mavelikkara, Alappuzha district. The Ravi Varma school of fine arts was established by his son Rama Varma.