Exquisite Expression Of Wood :wooden Carvings Kerala, India

Exquisite expression of wood :Wooden carvings Kerala

The exquisite carvings from Kerala exhibits ravishing colours of traditions and customs assimilating the values of local life and enviornment.

The state of Kerala "God's own country", exhibits the tradition of exquisite natural beauty and handsome wooden handicraft. A tropical paradise of blustering palms and spacious beaches has a rich heritage of handicrafts, which evolves the customary values of the state. From time immemorial the ingenious artists from Kerala have produced exotic handicrafts for adorning temple and dwellings. They are specialized in the wooden carvings, which appears in numerous temples scattered across Kerala in the fashion of carved doors, windows etc. The ravishing wooden carvings also facilitate the different types and come in the round, in relief, clip, incised or pierced forms. Especially the places like Thiruvantapuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Travancore and Kochi have become major centres for wooden handicrafts.
Entertaining carving of Gods and other figures made by these artists mesmerizes one's own ideas with its splendid creations. The craftsmen from Kerala are famous for their wooden icon carving and their mastery can be witnessed in numerous temples. It is believed that these beautifully carved icons create positive energy within the house. Each place has its own specific patterns of art and strength. The judicious artists mark considerable styles to have considerable range of woodwork. As mentioned earlier the place of Travancore (southern Kerala) is famous for its exquisite carvings marked by its bold forms with details being intimately carved out. Especially the varieties like tables, chairs are carved out with floral motifs or epic scenes. The legs are often carved out in the shape of Vyali, believed to be the guard of Gods. The houses in Kerala represent an excellent display of quality woodwork with its beautiful carved pillars and beams. Most of these houses have carved family temple. The wide arena of woodcarving exhibited through temples and houses feature the traditional rosewood and sandalwood carving. These scattered temples throughout ceilings, windows and doors are the testimonials of high level craftsmanship and elegance of art.
Generally these carvings are made to characterise an enormous style and fashion to produce the postures and gestures like the characters of Kathakali dance, drama, religious and mythological figures. Hence the mythology and its personification became the main theme of these carvings. In the beginning of 18th century this art from began to decline and was evolved with new style and refinement. Now the items include intricately carved Elephant, Deers, Tigers etc. which began to appear in different shapes and poses to make them suitable as a paperweight, book ends, show pieces etc. Another beautiful example of wooden carving is temples of Kerala who features the elegance of wooden carving in a fabulous fashion. One of the beautiful example is " mandapam " the Mahadeva Temple, near Tiruvantapuram, with its ceiling of deities with Lord Brahma on a swan in the centre. Even the churches in Kerala also feature the same level of wooden carvings and are widely acknowledged for their work. This exquisite wooden carving from Kerala is a wide coliseum of varieties.
They vary from household furniture to animal figures, which contribute towards a major economical as well as cultural activity. Rosewood, sandalwood, cedarwood and teakwood are commonly used to have these beautiful carvings. Even the Bamboo and Coconut are the popular material to be used in this process. The general products manufactured using this are cups, flower vases, snuffboxes, sugar cabins, nut bowls etc. Hence these wooden carvings from Kerala contributes to the rich tradition of Indian handicrafts in a fabulous way. They not only present wide variety but also provide real essence of their culture and customs. These carvings from Kerala take us into the journey of exquisite arena handicrafts unleashing the beautiful world of art. They not not only represent their tradition but also carry a big impression of spiritual values and thoughts. Their beautiful presentation of culture and life contributes to the coliseum of craftsmanship. To conclude the God's Own Country portraits its elegance in gorgeous style and excellence.