Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

Another major problem is that there has not been any effort at skill development in the
areas in which the region has had experienced skilled workers already. For example, the
people of the region had shown expertise in preparing the ground for cultivation in the
water-logged regions by siphoning off excess water from the area, but only the older
generation seems to remember the methods of water management. Water management
methods appear to have been practiced even with the waters of Kadalundi River during
rainy season. Another example is the importance of iron working in the area. Almost
every amsam had settlements of perunkollans, who were expert blacksmiths, who made
all kinds of agricultural implements including knives, and swords. Now, alas of Kollans
are remaining idle, and the machine worked industrials have taken their place. However,
there has not been any effort to make use of the skills of the perunkollans, and to suitably
upgrade them, so that a machine tool or an iron implements industry is promoted. The
existing industries are on the verge of being closed down. There had been reports of the
presence of iron along the banks of Kadalundi River. The people in the area still believe
that iron may be found there. Unfortunately, there is very little interest in undertaking a
mineral survey of the region, and even if such a survey is undertaken, no one will know
what to do with it. It should be remembered that the region had a tradition of miseries or
coppersmiths also, an art that seems to have died out. Carpenters survive mainly through
their role in construction work and furniture marts, and some of the families appear to
make a descent living. Again, they survive mainly as accessory work, and there is no
effort to convert them to industries. Here also the existing skills are underutilized and not
innovatively developed. Equally revealing is the plight of the goldsmiths, who are out of
work in an era when there is an exponential growth of jewellery. The jewelleries do not
need their expertise and can make do with machine cutting, which is a relatively
unskilled job. The quality of the gold ornaments and skilled craftsmanship is a casualty in