The Hindu : Kerala News : Preserving a vanishing art

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Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008
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Kerala

Preserving a vanishing art

Mannar artisans are famous for the deities they make. But the lives of artisans do not reflect that glory, as the number of people involved in this work of art is dwindling.

Famous for works they undertake for temple idols and artefact, the huge bronze ‘varppu’ (traditional cooking ware), copper vessels and of course the traditional lamps used in temples and households, the families that had come from across the border and settled down in and around Mannar centuries ago find their occupation little rewarding.

There are few new generation people who have learnt the art of making traditional lamps, said P. V. Jeevaraj, leading a group of artisans from Mannar at Aala — the Folk-Tribal Artisans Workshop organised by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi at Hill Palace premises.

The artisans from Mannar are famous for their panchaloham (a combination of five metals) artefacts. Using gold, silver, iron, brass and tin in particular combinations, they prepare the idols for temples. Thazhikakodam, kodimaram (flag post in temple) and other decorative items for temples have become the only source of income for these artisans and precisely because of this, the people behind such traditional artefacts are turning to other professions. “May be this would go on for another 10-15 years,” said Mr. Jeevaraj.

Shyama Rajagopal

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