Aranmula, one of the heritage villages of Kerala is located in Pathanamthitta district. Aranmula is famous among the locals and other tourists for the variant surprises that it offers like, a religious visit to Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, a thrilling experience of watching Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali conducted during the Onam festival and finally for the traditionally made Aranmula Kannadi or Aranmula metal mirrors. Only the talented craftsmen of Aranmula village are aware of the techniques of metallurgy used in making these unique metal mirrors.
There is a popular belief that Aranmula Kannadi can bring wealth, luck and prosperity to the households that possess the mirror. Thus, these metal mirrors are bought for better luck chances as well as fine ornament pieces to decorate your house interiors in Kerala ethnic style. According to Kerala tradition, Aranmula Kannadi is one of the eight items included within the ashtamangalya set collected and arranged on special occasions such as marriage functions for prosperity.
Aranmula Kannadi existed long before the foreign glass mirrors arrived in Kerala. These special metal mirrors are maintained in a special way distinct from the normal mirrors, they have to be wiped in a particular direction to remove the marks and finger touches, they have to be kept at room temperature away from heat. These are made of a special alloy, which is said to be the combination of copper and tin. They facilitate a front surface reflection different from the normal back surface reflection mirrors.
The skilled craftsmen in Aranmula take enough effort in the making of these mirrors. They produce the perfect combination of the alloy and spend time on polishing sessions which may take several days to attain perfection on the reflecting surface. They are inherited with these amazing skills of making perfect Aranmula Kannadi with care and perfection.
During 2015, there was a one day workshop held for the families in Aranmula who are involved in the making of these unique and special Aranmula metal mirrors. Purchase these best quality metal mirrors while you are in Aranmula village to attain wealth and prosperity in your households.
