Design Resource
Wood Carving - Kerala
The Wooden Craft
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baraland Antony William
Introduction
Vayalar and Andhkaranazhi beach is located in Alleppey district of Kerala, which is 5 km from Cherthala. Vayalar is a part of the famous vembanad backwaters. The major livelihood of people here is coir making, fishing and shrimp farming. A large number of people who are both skilled or unskilled labourers, work in the coir industry, the sea food industry, wood carving and boat making activities near Cherthala. The traditional houses and temples in Kerala are made of wood. The themes for wood carving crafts are taken from puranic scenes and figures of animals, flowers are carved on furniture, wooden door frames or arch, antique furniture. The main items made of rose wood are animal figures like elephant, horses and tiger and figures of Buddha and Christ statutes, Kathakali masks, pen stand and dressing table are also made out of rose wood.
