Kerala - Kollam   

Aranmula mirrors draw huge crowds

KEEPSAKES: Aranmula metal mirrors on show at the Kairali showroom in Kollam.

KOLLAM: It is a mirror created not from glass but from a special metal alloy. It is known around the world as the Aranmula metal mirror and even the British Museum in London has one in its collection.

The mirror boasts unique artisanship, for the technique to manufacture a genuine Aranmula mirror is known only to a small group of artisans.

Legend has it that centuries ago, artisans brought by the ruler of Aranmula to work at the Parthasarathy temple there hit upon the technique while working on a crown for the presiding deity. It fascinated the temple priest to such an extent that he included the mirror among the eight auspicious items used for worship at the temple.

The mirror has other unusual aspects - it is a front surface mirror, it can take months to manufacture one mirror since the process involved is traditional and many people believe that owning one will bring them good luck.

To give a boost to the mirror’s popularity and promote the artisans behind it, Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd. has organised an exhibition-cum-sale of the mirrors through its Kairali showroom here.

The show, inaugurated by Mayor N. Padmalochanan, on Thursday, is a big draw.

The prices for the mirror range from Rs.1,000 to Rs.21,000. The show will conclude on July 31.

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