Aranmula Kannadi, the famous metal mirrors of Aranmula, is stealing the show at the Onam handicrafts fair organised by ‘Kairali,' attached to Kerala Handicrafts Development Corporation, at Thiruvalla.
The corporation is getting a good number of orders this season,
according to Kairali unit manager Tomy Sebastian.
P.K. Sundaran Achari, senior craftsman, supplies theses mirrors to the corporation. It takes two weeks to make a dozen metal mirrors. The smallest inch-and-a-half mirror costs Rs.1,000. The price goes up to Rs.10,000, depending on the size.
Only four artisan families make Aranmula Kannadi now. The technical know-how and chemical composition is known only to them, Mr. Sebastian said.
Exquisite sculptures, lamps, copies of Ravi Varma paintings and a variety of handicraft items are also on display. The fair will come to a close on August 31, Mr. Sebastian said.
