Kerala, called God's own country, has a rich cultural history and its ancient traditions and crafts have given us artefacts of stunning beauty. If you step into the handicrafts shop on M G road you will be lost in a world of exquisite handicrafts and garments. Kairali, the renowned organisation for handicrafts in Kerala has organised this showcase of the country best craft. Kairali is a unit of Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala Limited, which was set up by the Kerala Government in 1968 with the objective of protecting, developing and promoting the diminishing and languishing handicrafts within Kerala. Since then the corporation has been giving these skilled hands a new lease of life.

The Corporation has set up a chain of marketing units under the name "Kairali", which in the vernacular means 'the land of coconut palms', in most of the major cities and important tourist centres throughout the country. In Bangalore too, the Kairali showroom was started by the Kerala Government in 1985. An interesting array of decorative and utility items in different media, in addition to a large collection of wooden artefacts and sculptures, are sold here.

Bell metal lamps: Cooking vessels and other traditional utensils used in the past are being revived through Kairali. Especially "Urulis and Varpus" (vessels) of various sizes are increasingly popular in urban homes nowadays. Brass Lamps in various shapes with intricately carved handles are a testimony to the artisan's skilled handiwork.

Aranmulla Metal Mirror: The whole mirror is made of metal! K C Sudarsanan, Kairali's Showroom Manager, told bangalorebest.com that the metal mirror is named after the place in Kerala where it originated. "The secret of crafting the mirror lies in the combination of metals and this craft is a closely guarded secret known only to two or three families," Sudarshanan says.

Caparisoned Elephants: Carved in wood and decorated in the traditional style, these artistic items will lend grace to the living room. The real ones add grandeur to the festivals of Kerala and other important occasions.

Snake Boats: Identified with the famous Kerala Boat races during the festival of Onam, this is yet another much sought after item by collector of handicrafts. These are made of Rosewood, SandalWood and Buffalo Horn.

Kathakali Items: Kathakali is a renowned dance form of Kerala. Masks and figures made in papier-mâché are widely appreciated and are popular gift items.

Malabar Uru: These sailing ships used to navigate between India and Mesopotamia even before 2000 BC. Show case models, as well as bigger models, are available here in teak wood.

Nettoor Box: The box is still known after the place where it is made. It comes in a combination of Rose wood, with artistically crafted brass fittings. The painted variety is also available. Adorn a corner of your drawing room with this one time dowry box.

The objects worth mention are the wooden sculptures of Murali Krishna and the story of the Ramayana carved on a rounded wooden log. Kerala is also famous for its coconut handicrafts. When asked whether Kairali sold coconut shell crafts as well, Sudarsanan said that coconut shell, banana fibre, bamboo palm leaf, screw pine handicrafts were also available here. He adds that, though connoisseurs buy all varieties of crafts, it is the wood carvings that form a larger portion of their sales.

Address:
Kairali,
# 144, Subharam Complex,
M G Road, Bangalore - 560 001.
Phone: 2558 4082

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