The small hamlet of Aranmula situated on the banks of the Pampa river is known internationally for its unique metal mirror, Aranmula Kannadi. This marvellous piece of ancient metallurgy is now facing threat from fake imitations.
The ancient technology behind it is restricted to a very few families of craftsmen.
But now others are trying their hand in the unique mirror-making process.
The Aranmula Viswa Brahmana Metal Mirror Nirman Society leaders told The Hindu on Sunday that Aranmula Kannadi was the second product from India to receive the Geographical Indication tag as per the Geographical Indication Registry of 2003. “As per this, only the society and its members are supposed to make and sell this heritage product,” society leaders A.K. Selvaraj, P. Gopakumar, and J. Sudha Ammal said.
They said that as per the directions of the GI Registrar in Chennai, they had initiated legal proceedings against a person who had been making and selling the metal mirror in September.
The Aranmula police had registered a case against him and a local handicrafts shop under the Geographical Indication Act.
The police also raided the handicrafts shop and the seized metal mirrors were presented before court.
The leaders requested the government to take stern action against those who were involved in making fake Aranmula metal mirrors in certain parts of the State and allegedly marketing it, misusing the GI tag of this heritage product.
Aranmula Kannadi, which gives distortion-free images, has been wooing many tourists to this part of the State for the past several years.
Traditional craftsmen have initiated legal proceedings against attempts to make fake Aranmula Kannadi.
