Handmade in India

COCONUT BASED CRAFTS
Every part of the ubiquitous coconut tree is effectively utilized in this region -
the flesh of the coconut is eaten, its fibre spun into coir or burnt for fuel, the
shell with its natural concave shape converted into bowls and spoons, the stem
into tables, chairs, banisters, vases and insense stick holders, and the husk into
figurines of monkeys and Buddha heads. The recent emphsis on eco friendly
consumer goods has given an additional impetus to this traditional cottage
industry. One of the cheif beneficiaries of this phenomeneon has been the craft
of working with coconut shells; the traditional repertoire of coconut shell bowls
and ladles has not extended to include a variety of lidded containers , trays,
boxes, bowls, cups and cutlery. The process involved is relatively simple - the
outer surface of the hard coconut shell is smoothened with a saw like tool while
the inner is smoothened with the aid of small chisels; the resultant surface is
sandpapered. A circular base and a
handle are seperately made, either in shell or in
cast brass, and attached to the cup by fixing
screws. Koyilandi in the district of Kozhikode
is renowned for its brass-broidered coconut
shell hookah; these were presumably made for
the Arabs who had commercial trade links with
Malabar Coast during the rule of the Zamorins
of Kozhikode district. The trend continues till
today, with most of the coconut shell products
being produced for export.
1. Containers carved out of coconut shell;
the handles are either of cast brass or are
individually carved pieces of coconut
shell.
2. Bowls made of coconut shell are teamed
with spoons made by maximizing the
natural curvature of the material.
3. Ladles of various sizes made with
coconut shell.
4. Cutlery made with coconut stem.
Production Clusters
Alappuzha district:
Alappuzha
Kottayam district:
Vaikom
Irumbuzhikara
Ernakulam district:
Cherai
Kozhikode district:
Koyilandi
Kozhikode
Thiruvananthapuram
district:
Thiruvananthapuram
Attungal
Neyyattinkara
Products
Of coconut stem:
Turned tables and
chairs
Banisters
Vases
Incense stick stands
Paperweights
Of coconut husk:
Carved figurines
Lidded containers
with brass handles
Cups
Bowls
Ladles
Snuff boxes
Sugar basins
Powder boxes
Spoons
Trays with
compartments
Soap dishes
Hookah
Tools
Patiyaram - steel saw
Small chisels
Sandpaper