Exquisite Handcrafted Goodies from Houses of Kerala

Kerala, a coastal tropical paradise in the south-western part of India, is a destination which avid travellers label as ‘God’s Own Country’. Kerala has a myriad collection of splendid beaches, enticing backwaters, gushing waterfalls, pristine hills, and colourful people, amongst its shelves of beauties. The people of Kerala seem to have a unique symbiotic relationship with nature, each one complementing the other to diffuse the place, with an aura of tranquillity.

This energy flows onto the craftsmanship of the local artisans who fabricate a vivid range of diverse artefacts. Kerala’s rich cultural elements often provide inspiration to these nature-aided creations, which are in perfect harmony to their ecology. These factors lead to a huge influx of tourists to the state. A wide array of travel companies offer, Kerala tour packages formulated according to their clients’ desires.

A few travel operators also provide Kerala tour packages, which capture the symbiosis between nature and people in the region and showcase the exquisite craftsmanship skills of the Keralites.

These lovable handmade products include:

• Brass and metal Artwork: This form of art makes use of an alloy, which is composed of copper, tin, and brass, to fashion a wide variety household utilities such as mirrors and lamps. Mannar, in Alappuzha is famed for its brass and bell metal products.
• Lacquered Merchandise: Lacquering involves, blending wood with metal. Skilled woodcarvers create these decorative pieces, which are studded with various metals. Ernakulam is noted for its lacquered crafts.
• Bamboo pens: These serve as excellent takeaway gifts for near and dear ones back home. These elegant ink pens are crafted on small reeds of bamboo, the craft being widely practiced in Wayanad.
• Handicrafts made from Coconut Shells: Kerala is home to innumerable coconut trees, the shells of which are used to fashion toys, vases, bowls, utensils, and other household articles. For larger Hookah stands or vases, a brass encasement is provided within the coconut shell. The craftsmen of Kozhikode and Cherthala are especially skilled in this art form.
• Screw Pine Goods: Articles such as hats, bags, and sleeping mats made, by weaving screw pine leaves comprise eco-friendly household essentials. Thrissur, widely recognized as Kerala’s cultural bed, leads the production of screw pine goods.
• Coir and Cane Handicrafts: Kozhikode and Kollam support a variety of these cottage manufacturing centres, and offer coir mattresses, elegant furnishings, and mats amongst their products.
• Banana Fibre Derivatives: The versatile natural fibre from the Banana plant’s trunk, is incorporated to manufacture household essentials such as wall hangings, mats, and bags. Pattu sarees are also fashioned, using banana fibres, as raw materials. Kannur, Kottayam, and Thiruvananthapuram form the centres, for this cottage industry.
• Rice Straw Art: Utilizing leaves, paper, and tree sap’s glue, this art form primarily yields beautiful paintings, sculptures, wall adornments, bags, mats, brooms, and hats. This age-old art form is practiced widely in Palakkad.
• Kathakali Masks: Kathakali, an ethnic dance form of Kerala, incorporates elaborately graphic costumes and masks in its performances. These masks fabricated from paper and natural adhesives, bring out Kathakali’s spirit and serve as memorable souvenirs.

Kerala possesses a vast range of gifts granted by nature. Through the course of its history, the local people have employed different techniques to harness its natural resources, resulting in the creation of truly remarkable products. These products are in perfect harmony to the region’s ecology and provide a great number of options to travellers, while shopping for memorabilia.