What is an Art and Crafts Village? How does it operate? Walking through the corridors of the Art and Crafts Village in Thiruvananthapuram answers such questions. Here, artisans, weavers, and other indigenous artists work in a shared space and are provided opportunities to sell their products. This initiative ensures a stable livelihood for local artists.
If you are an art enthusiast or someone keen to explore Kerala’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, a visit to the Arts and Crafts Village in Vellar, Thiruvananthapuram district, is a must. This village showcases extraordinary creations by both local and award-winning artists. Not only can visitors view these creations, but they can also purchase them and learn the techniqual skills.
Located in the picturesque village of Vellar near Kovalam, the Arts and Crafts Village spans 8.5 acres and serves as a hub for reviving the state’s traditional craftsmanship and cultural sectors. The village features an amphitheater, museums, studios for artisans, and an art gallery.
When asked about the role of the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission in the Arts and Crafts Village, the CEO, Mr. Prasad, explained, ‘Numerous artists operate under the RT Mission, and we serve as a platform for showcasing and selling their products. Around four RT Mission artists work live on campus here.’
The RT Mission plays a crucial role in providing steady income opportunities for local women and other workers through this initiative.
Launched in 2011 under Kerala Tourism, the Arts and Crafts Village had to shut down the following year due to technical reasons. However, after an agreement between the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Limited and the Tourism Department on June 25, 2018, reconstruction began. The village was reopened to the public in 2021 by the then Minister for Tourism, Cooperation, , Kadakampally Surendran.
Today, the village is home to over 100 skilled artisans and numerous studios. Visitors can learn new skills and techniques directly from the craftspeople.
The village showcases artisans working with materials like wood, bamboo, reed, palm, coir, and cotton. Spread across 28 studios, over 50 types of crafts are displayed.
Highlights of the Arts and Crafts Village
• National and international handicrafts
• Terracotta and ceramic ware
• Coir products, jewelry, decorative items
• Furniture
• Textiles and fabrics
• Souvenirs and curios
• Musical instruments
• Household items crafted from wood, bamboo, reed, palm, and coconut shells
The village boasts a remarkable collection, including 3D holograms, Bengal and Odisha’s ‘Pattachitra’ paintings, Kerala’s mural paintings, and ancient Egyptian-inspired paper quilling crafts.
Centuries-old treasures like the Nettur box, crafts made of glass and stone, , horn carvings, jewelry, ‘Pooram’ crafts, wooden furniture, toys made of teak, rosewood, and white wood, as well as ‘Aranmula’ mirrors, percussion instruments from Peruvamba, Balaramapuram handloom, ‘Muttahathara’ woodwork, sculptures, and leather products, are all part of this stunning exhibit.
According to Mr. Prasad, ‘The horns used in horn carvings come from animals slaughtered for meat.’
In essence, the Arts and Crafts Village bridges Kerala’s heritage and culture with the world. It also sheds light on the lives of many unsung artisans. The contributions of Kerala Tourism and the RT Mission in achieving this are commendable.