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Shopping in Kerala

Shopping in Kerala make is an unforgettable experience. You can choose from a wide range of options. Shopping in Kerala offers you Coconut Shell Craft, Metal Inlaid Wood Craft, Coir Products, Horn Carvings, Woodcarving, Bamboo Mat Paintings, Metalware, and Kathakali masks. The local designs and techniques of the skilled artisans are truly admirable. Kerala is home to verdant forests and coconut groves. Handicrafts made of wood coir and coconut shells thrive in Kerala. Bangles and other gift items are made from these. Exotic teak, deep-wine rosewood and fragrant sandalwood products are found in Kerala. Buffalo horn is a staple for the local skilled artisans for producing handicrafts.

Handicrafts:

Unique artistic handicrafts are a specialty in Kerala. The dedicated artisans work arduously to make exotic inimitable and artistic handicrafts. The handicrafts are made with ivory, bamboo, palm leaves, sea shells, wood, coconut shells, clay, clothes, metals and stones Natural dyes, natural sustainable materials and simplicity add extra content to the products. The distinctive patterns, design and colors make Kerala handicrafts a favorite amongst compulsive shoppers.

Coconut Shell Craft:

Kerala is dotted by coconut trees. This makes Kerala an ideal for exotic coconut shell craft.  Skilled artisans painstakingly produce Coconut shell Craft. The main centre for coconut shell craft is Calicut district in Kerala. The main products are cups, flower vases, snuff boxes, sugar basins, nut bowls, powder boxes and spoons etc and also products decorated with brass.

But the sea-fringed state of Kerala is also the land of spices. Since long past Kerala has carved a niche of its own in the global spice market for its rich flavored spices. Spices are used in medicines, preservatives, perfumes and above all in cooking. Do pick up some exquisite variety while shopping in Kerala.

Coir Products:

Coir Products make the base of village industries in Kerala. Floor coverings,  door mats , floor matting and rugs, crush-proof pile carpets and flowered Mourzouks are made from coir, the husk of coconut. Different hues of mats with complex designs are coir products.

Exotic cushions are also made of coir. Ratts make for spectacular floor coverings. The

major centres of Coir Products are Alleppey, Kollam and Calicut.

Woodcarving:

Kerala has an abundance of forests. Wood carving is widely practiced in Kerala. Temples and palaces emanate typical wood carving designs of Kerala. Doors, windows and ceilings of traditional buildings bear testimony to the high level of craftsmanship and tradition of wood carving in Kerala. Carvings are made on rosewood, sandalwood, cedar wood and teak. Local artistes wear wood carved figures with exaggerated features inspired from mythological and religious characters in Kathakali dance dramas. Wood carvings also include elephants in different postures, other animal figures, paper weights, lamp stands and jewelry boxes like Nettoor jewelry boxes. Wood carving on sandalwood and rosewood is unique to Kerala.

Metalware:

Kerala boasts of exquisite metalware. Kerala produces temple bells and lamps from time immemorial. Kerala is known for exotic bell metals. Glistening bell metals are made from a mixture of brass, tin and copper which in turn make spectacular lamps. Different types of cooking vessels, containers for drinking are other bell metal items. Trivandrum, Irinjalakuda and Kasargod  are the major places of  bell-metal production. The popular product of Aramula, a village near Chengannur in Kerala is the resplendent metal mirror made out of an amalgamation of copper and tin.

Kathakali Masks:

Kerala is famed for the Kathakali dance form. Specially designed Papier-Mache Masks in different forms and sizes are available. Papier Mache is used to make various products Banana fibre is used to make floor coverings, Rice straw is used to make a silken collage of native scenery on black silk and Cora grass is used to make mats.

Spices:

Kerala is a land of spices. You can choose from an electric mix of spices while shopping in Kerala . Kerala has occupied an important place in the global spice market. Kerala has an abundance of the most popular spices like the spices are pepper, cardamom, turmeric, chillies and ginger. Spices are used to make medicines, perfumes and add flavor to a gourmet's delight.

Textiles:

Textile sector constituting of spinning and handloom is the booming industry ok Kerala. You can choose from a range of Cotton Yarn Fabrics and Knitted Garments while shopping in Kerala .

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