Kerala Bronze Wares

Base material: Metal

Category: Decorative items

Historically, Bronze has played an important role in Kerala’s households. Locally called 'Odu', it is most famously seen in the lamps present in almost every Malayali residence. Huge wick lamps in different sizes and shapes like the Nilavilakku have become synonymous with the State. Bronze is also used in the manufacture of vessels, big and small. Kitchens across God’s Own Country were once full of bronze ware utensils.

It is also extremely important for religious symbols. The Valkannadi (literally meaning tailed mirror) is representative of Lakshmi - the Goddess of Prosperity. Other pooja (worship) articles like the kindi (water container of a particular shape with a sprouting nozzle), uruli (wide shallow cooking vessel) and Thattu (plates) are beautifully crafted in bronze. The originals are extremely expensive and many bronze products can be seen adorning an antique or curio shop. North Kerala is where one can still find many places that still cast bronze. Places like Payyannur and Kunhimangalam in Kannur, Irinjalakuda in Thrissur and Pallippuram in Palakkad are famous for their skill in the same.

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