<< Kerala Handicrafts

Kerala has got a wealthy tradition in wooden handicraft making. Generation after generation, these craft making techniques are carried forward. Keralas artisans are very talented and are rich in ideas.Calicut and Thrissur districts are especially famous for wooden handicrafts. Their products represent Keralas beauty and heritage. The kathakali heads, butterflies, snake boats, elephants etc are the best examples of this. They all reflect the rich cultural heritage Kerala holds in her bosom.

Having recent origin, wood handicraft is concentrated in and around Quilandi of Calicut District. Rose Wood, Coconut Stem and Soft Wood (Karimuruku) are the three varieties of wood used as raw material for making wooden handicraft pieces like the laminated joint wooden table mats. The wood is sliced into small sizes of diamond shape by using a table saw machine, holes are made crosswise, and joined together by using nylon threads to form the mats of different shapes and sizes. The mats are given a coating of mansion polish by using cotton cloth and after sometime rubber to get fine finishing. Star mat, flower mat, oblong mat, striped mat etc are some of the the most popular designs. The laminated joint wood table mats are used as table mats as well as wall decorative pieces.

Rosewood and Teakwood are considered as the main materials to carve out beautiful wooden handicrafts in Calicut. Rosewood has got immense strength and sustainability compared to other types of wood. Rosewood is a very flexible medium for handicraft work. The items made out of rosewood are very durable and long lasting and are beautiful when polished.

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