CATEGORY : HERITAGE TOURISM
Aranmula kannadi (Aranmula mirror) is a handmade metal-alloy
mirror, made in Aranmula, a village in the state of Kerala, India. Unlike the
normal 'silvered' glass mirrors, being a metal-alloy mirror, it is a front
surface reflection mirror, which eliminates secondary reflections and
aberrations typical of back surface mirrors. The exact metals used in the alloy
are unknown to people and is maintained as a Vishwakarma family secret; however
metallurgists suggest the alloy to be a mix of copper and tin. It is then
polished for several days in a row to achieve their reflective surface.They are
considered one among the eight auspicious items or “ashtamangalyam” that make
up a Kerala bride’s trousseau.
These unique metal mirrors are the result of Kerala's rich
cultural and metallurgical traditions, and have great historical and cultural
value and are even considered to bring good luck. Produced by a single extended
family in Aranmula, the origins of the Aranmula kannadi are linked with the
Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Legend has it that eight families of experts in
temple arts and crafts were brought by the royal chief to Aranmula from
Tirunelveli district to work in the Parthasarathy temple centuries ago on the
mirrors.
The British Museum in London has a 45 centimeter tall Aranmula
metal mirror in its collection. The mirrors have received a geographical
indication (GI) tag in 2004-05.
Aranmula Kannadi is:
- Extra ordinary traditional hand made metal mirror, is Famous for bringing prosperity, luck and wealth in to life
- Aranmula Kannadi is famous for its secretive construction method and uniqueness in the make which get Patent protected with a Geographical Indication tag
- It is the only metal mirror available, Unlike Ordinary Glass mirror , Image from Aranmula Kannadi is reflected from upper surface of reflecting material , where in Glass mirror image reflected from bottom layer where mercury is pasted . So real image is only captured in the Aranmula Kannadi.
- Aranmula Kannadi is one among 8 auspicious items included famous astamagalaya set ,which usually used for very auspicious function like marriage
- Aranmula Kannadi is impossible to make a duplicated Item, because of its lesser Price, and its make details only known to few people in one family belong to Aranmula and it is kept as a family secret
- Mysteries in its creation, unequaled in its beauty, the Aranmula Kannadi is a unique object.
- Exclusive to Aranmula this is made of metal, not glass! There in lies its uniqueness and its creation a closely guarded secret. Known to only four families, has been handed down from father to son for generations. Therein lies its mystery
- Aranmula Kannadi is not mass produced and is hand made with all its perfections as how one looks at it? While commercially available glass mirrors reflect an image, because of a silver coating at its rear, Aranmula Metal Mirror is the only mirror which reflects from the front plane. This had its popularity until the advent of the commercially manufactured glass mirrors which proved to be much cheaper. The demand of Aranmula Kannadi grew by bounds only a decade ago especially in foreign countries.
- A huge amount of determination, perseverance and patience goes into the making of this enchanting mirror. Mud from the local paddy fields is used for the mould into which the molten alloy mix is poured to cast the mirror and the technique followed is the cire-perdue or the lost wax method of casting. Even with the utmost care, only about 60% of the cast metal mirrors can be salvaged, the rest get damaged in the process of manufacture.
- The metal mirror is then polished using well-ground, burnt clay powder mixed with special oil on a jute cloth. To achieve a highly reflective surface, polishing can go on from one to several days. When a satisfactory finish is achieved, the mirror is mounted on various models of artistic brass frames.
How To Buy?
For buying Aranmula Kannadi, there is
a very reliable website – aranmulamirror.com you can go to the website and see the various
models displayed there. They are the No.1 website for buying original and
traditional aranmula kannadi.
You can also call them and order via your phone.