Spruce up the interiors with handicrafts
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Kerala is known for an array of handicrafts items renowned for their artistic finesse and grace. They give a traditional touch whether they are used as showpieces or for utility purposes.
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Showpieces: There is a good demand for handicraft products, which have become an integral part of interior décor in Kerala homes.
It may be a mythological figure carved out of rosewood or moulded in bell metal, a sandalwood jewel box, laminated wooden flower vase, papier mache Kathakali mask or table mat made of screw pine.
Creativity and skill that have gone into the making of these items reflect a stroke of artistic precision and perfection as clearly as they give a sense of the rich heritage of handicrafts in Kerala.
Timeless
Most of these specimens of handicraft products belong to a timeless tradition enriched by the State’s repertoire of performing arts and ritual art forms. As architects and interior designers tend to draw on the rich sculptural and architectural legacies of the State, handicrafts products that can go well with the legacies are in great demand to be part of the interiors.
People tend to prefer interiors that blend the past and the present and that give an enchanting ambience. A sculpture that displays the artistic precision of that craftsman who has made it, an intricate inlay work or a miniature of palm leaf, a carved figure of Lord Shiva in his Thandava posture and a traditional jewel box are among the items that make perfect sense in household interiors.
Kerala is known for an array of handicrafts items renowned for their artistic finesse and grace.
They include figures and idols carved in rosewood and sandalwood including those of Krishna and Radha, Lord Ganesh, Shakunthala with deer, Ajantha Krishna, Buddha in his sitting posture, Shiva Parvathi and St. George and dragon, among others.
The handicrafts products give a traditional touch whether they are used as showpieces or for utility purposes. Kairali, a chain of exclusive emporium of the State Government’s Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala showcases the State’s unique handicrafts items available in a range of prices.
Good name
“There is a steady market now for handicrafts products as people are more sensitive to aesthetics of interiors,” says K.P. Raveendran, Manager, Kairali showroom at Kannur. People generally tend to prefer handicrafts products that have some utility such as carved wooden corner stands, telephone stands, carved boxes, pen holders made of palm leaf, traditional boxes to keep ornaments and decorative lamps made of bell metal, among others.
Handicrafts products that are sold out in large numbers are auspicious items such as pooja sets, traditional lamps and traditional boxes.
Pooja idols and figures made of wood and metal are equally favoured by customers. Kairali also supplies window curtains made of bamboo reeds.
A range of showpieces crafted using buffalo horn such as miniature snake boat, figures of animals and birds, table mats from banana stem-fibre, trays from palm leaf, bags from screw pine and wall pictures painted on paddy straw mats are also favourites of customers.
There are also handicraft products that are bought by the customers to be given as gifts at housewarming functions. Clocks with rosewood frame are among such gift items.
The handicrafts products will continue to have steady market as there is a growing awareness on the importance of their use in interior decor.
MOHAMED NAZEER
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