When we speak about coconut, we think of it as a fruit to eat or a kind of water to drink from. However, in Kerala, when it comes to “Coconut Shell Carvings Prevalent in Kerala: From Utensils to Décor”, a place where coconuts are found in a good quantity, it is an art form. Artisans have been creating functional utensils out of it as well as really beautiful art forms that work as decorative pieces. It is admirable how the coconut Shell is not wasted in this state and is used for something worthwhile.
Origin
When it comes to coconut Shell Carvings, they have been used since old times in the village areas of the state. Coconut is present in an abundant quantity in Thiruvananthapuram and the villagers intelligently used it to create a variety of household items, which eventually became a piece of art.
How It Is Created
This art form is created in a few steps. At first, the coconut is cut into the desired shape by using specific tools. The process is simple when you hear it and yet it is very time taking and requires a lot of patience. After that the artisans carve intricate designs into the Shell of the coconut by using the sharpest tool. Then they use the method of sanding to make the surface smooth and so that there is no rough edge left. They make sure to polish the surface delicately so that it looks like an artistic product and has the most glossy finish.
There are a variety of products created by artisans, when it comes to coconut Shell Carvings. They create Utensils out of mere coconut Shell like spoons, ladles and bowls. The best thing about these products is that they are durable in nature and ecologically friendly. They also make intricate decorative items like lamps which you can purchase if you prefer accent lighting in your house. If you are someone who likes flowers, there are coconut Shell vases that last for years on end. Some people also love to buy coconut wall hangings and they showcase the impressive skills of the craftsmen. In fact, these coconut Shell Carvings are also used to create new types of furniture like chairs, tables and stools. The most impressive feat that they have achieved is that coconut fiber is ecologically friendly and therefore, if you buy these products, you are helping the environment as well.
Benefits
When it comes to coconut Shell Carvings, one must consider to invest in them because it provides support to local artisans and it promotes sustainability. It preserve the old world charm and Traditional skills of the state. It makes people care about the environment, by promoting ecologically friendliness. They understand that coconut is a wholly biodegradable material and completely natural, so it is good to buy these kinds of products.
Despite all of these achievements, coconut Shell Carvings are not as popular outside the state of Kerala because machine made products have become really cheap and people prefer to buy them for that very reason. Artisans really do not get sufficient support. They deserve a lot of recognition so that they can properly sustain their craft. The raw materials and other sharp tools which are required to create the coconut Carvings are very scarce because the availability of coconut shells had reduced because the quality is not as good. If we wish to preserve the legacy of coconut Shell Carvings, we should support local artisans by visiting trade fair organizations and we can also use social media to make people aware about the environment as well as personal benefits of using these products.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee