The crafts of Kerela can best be described as the mirror of Kerela`s perennial glory and tradition. The crafts of Kerela are completely indigenous which range from woodcarvings, metalwork, wood inlay, and stone craft.
Blessed with fine quality tropical wood like the rosewood, the white cedar, the durable teak and the slender bamboo, it is natural for the people of the state to have a tradition of woodcarvings. The various woodcarvings include icons, boxes and curios. It displays the best artistic skills of the person. Woodcarvings can also be seen in ancient temples and churches. Elephants in variety of postures and sizes are excellent pieces of woodwork, which is reproduced in mostly all varieties of wood namely, rosewood, sandalwood, cedar and teak. In the modern days craft, the rosewood elephant is embellished with ceremonial umbrella and howdah after the temple elephants of Thrissur. Beautifully female figures are also carved out of kumbli wood. Different woods are used for different purposes, so while rosewood bears a shade of grimness, the light coloured cedar and the fragrant sandalwood highlight a different genre of creativity.
A variety of items are carved out of coconut shells. These include bowls, vases, teapots and ladles. Kerela has an ancient tradition of stone crafts. Since Kerela has a rich variety of granites, it is used for making images. Changanur is an important center of stone craft in the state. Apart from images, stone is also used in making utility items and structures.
It seems as if craft virtually runs in the blood of Kerela and therefore the quest for innovation and invention continues even today in the state.
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