Handmade in India

BRONZE CASTING
Production Clusters
Thrissur district:
Nadavaramba
Kunnamkulam
Kadavallur
Products
Ritual articles:
Kunnimangalam
traditional lamp
Teertavalli - lamp
with a yoni or vulva
like receptacle and a
spout
Annapakshi - named
after the motif of the
bird of abundance
Kavaravilakku - lamp
with three receptacles
Kurishivilakku - lamp
with stylized
Christian cross
(kurushi)
Nagaradhanu vilakku
- snake shaped lamp
Kuttavilakku - lamp
for temple procession
Tookavilakku -
hanging lamp
Koddivilakku - lamp
to light the temple
lamp
Deepasthabha - pillar
lamp
Tiripazhada kacheri -
lamp that has spouts
for wicks
Kadaplave - lamp
from derived from the
small jackfruit
Karpooratatta - vessel
used to burn camphor
Dhoopakal - vessel
for buring incense
Domestic utensils:
Appakava - vessel
used for cooking
unniappam
Kollabmi - spitton
Cooja - container
used to carry milk
and water
Monda - container
used to carry milk
and water
Kindi - vessel to pour
water during
Kerela boasts of an impressive achievement in the art of making a remarkable variety of
metal lamps which are characterized by a rare grace of form;
these are cast using the lost wax technique. The extensive typology of the lamps produced is due to their usage in both static
and portable contexts, in temple ceremonies, in the indigenous dance drama traditions and in homes. Those pertaining to the
temple are the archana deepa or votive lamp, the arati deepa or prayer lamp, both of which are used to illunimnate the inner
Inset : A platter on which the
various articles required for
ritual use are arranged; these
include a tiripazhada kacheri or
the small lamp with five spouts
for the wicks, a kavaravilakku
or lamp with three receptacles, a
kindi, and sundry vessels.
1. A hanging lamp with a
representations of
elephants paying homage
to the Goddess
Gajalakshmi.
2. The vilakku or ceremonial
lamp, usually of cast bell
metal is used in homes as
well as temples; they may
be lit before and image of
a deity as guests, or used
to signify the presence of
the fire god Agni.
3. A brass handpiece used
for arati, worship,
Ananthapadmanabha
Temple, Kumbala,
Kasaragod district
4. An appakava, the vessel
used for cooking a local
delicacy known as
unniappam.
5. Chilambu, the leg or arm
ornaments worn
Tools
Lathes, Chisels
Wooden stands
6 sanctum and the nandi deepa, the deepalaxmi shaped in
form of a graceful lady holding a lamp and the
deepastambha or pillar lamp that is used at the entrance of
the sancum . The lamps may also be classified according to
the motifs they bear; thus there exists the mitevilakku with
its distinct peacock pattern, the hamsavilakku resembling
the swan and the vimanavilakku shaped like a tower and
connected by a chain. The changalavattu or the peacock
lamp with the animal`s body serving as a reservoir for oil
and the tail as the handle, is now used for processions in
temples but was initially held before the old rulers and
aristocrats when they went out in procession.
7 by tehe vellichappad (priests in whom the spirit of the
deity is said to periodically enter) during the frenzied trance
they undergo when possessed. The chilambu are hollow cast
and contain small metal balls that create a rattling noise
when the ornament is shaken.
8 Kindi, a vessel with a spout thta is used to pour water
during ablutions or ceremonies.