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| PC : @Little_lensation |
Introduction
Aruvacode is a beautiful taluk in Malappuram district of
Kerala. Being situated in the top of hilly terrains Aruvacode is one of the few
lucky places that didn’t drown in sadness during the Kerala floods 2018. It is located close to the Nilgiris range of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Chaliyar River. The people
of Aruvacode live in sync with nature. Fresh green plants and earthly tones
are part of every home we see. Walls and separations are rare to be seen as
they all live in unity.
Years ago Aruvaode was infamous for the kind of work the
people did. Due to poverty, many women were working as prostitutes and men
worked as pimps. The depressing condition in their family made them so and so
as it was the only way they could live life.
The appreciation goes to KB Jinan and a police officer sir
Radhakrishnan for turning the village of
prostitutes to the potter’s village by reviving their culture and showing a
pathway to these lost souls through the art of pottery.
Major Tourist Attractions
Nilambur Kovilakom, Gateway of Nilambur, Teak forest and plantations (
Conolly's plot) is the major tourists' spots in Nilambor. The Conolly's plot is closed on Mondays and it’s the home for oldest teak in the world. The greenery and Adyanpara waterfalls thrill
the tourists as the nature in its pristine form is saved here.
Life and lifestyle
The men wore normal mundu-shirt and women are seen wearing saree. During work, men go
topless with only the Kavi Mundus and women in a one-piece maxi. They usually
eat rice with two or three side dishes. They preferably ate vegetarian
food but
few did eat chicken and fish or egg. Most of them are Hindus and its
also special to notice that only Hindus were devoted to this craft of pottery.
Marriages were held in their own homes which now are held in temples with the
temple priest taking in charge of the karmas. Most of the houses had washrooms
outside their house as these houses are their property handed over to them
through generations where the old people thought it's unethical and unhygienic
to have a washroom inside their home. Education is given importance and all the
children were in schools nearby. Men pierced both their ears and women at the
age of 6 pierced their left nose. They spoke the khumhra language which is a
mix of Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil and was also well versed in Malayalam
.
The art of pottery is very divine to them and the whole
family indulged in the process of making aesthetic pots, vases, cups and
plates. Women were not supposed to work during their monthly cycles. Initially, women didn’t work on the wheels but now with the invention of machine wheels, Aruvacode stand as the sole place with women wheelers.
The potters’
Community
From 114 the families, the number has come down to just 7
families who are involved in this art. They have arranged a small space outside
their home for the process. The sourcing of raw materials is from Palakkad.
The major problem is in the sourcing of soil as its rate is increasing
drastically but the market rate for the clay pots remains unchanged.
They are believed to be migrated from Andhra to make pottery
for the king in Nilambur kovilakam. The land and accommodation were given to
them by the king with which time they kept it for themselves. They still remain
as the authentic potters family staying true to the traditional way of pottery.
They use only natural sustainable
colours and materials for the process.
The seven units sold their products independently and the
price was different in each unit for each product. The product ranges were
also different in each unit. The special magic pot was made in Mrs. Vijayakumari’s unit which they sell in exhibitions.
Mr Suresh has a shed for the wheel and storing few products
and another shed for baking, which they also use for cooking. They make pots,
meenchatti and vases.
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| PC: @Little_lensations |
The story on the wheel
The raw maanu bought from Palakkad is made into clay form and constantly beaten upon until all the stone particles are removed. the clay is then kept on the wheel which is always rotated anti-clockwise direction and made into the desired shape by the artisan. Though keder and daba (design tools) are used to bring creative designs in the product, few artisans used their thumb and index fingernails to do the same. Then the product is kept to dry and later baked in the furnace. over baking could cause breakage and the broken product cannot be reused. So immense care has to be taken in this step. once the baking is done the product is checked for any damage and ready for sale.
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| PC : @Little-lensations |
Storage and Packaging
The products are stored under their shed. In the case of the summer season, the products cover their entire homes says one the artisan, Mr.Suresh. The products are safely packed with newspapers in case of retail and for wholesale, bubble wraps are used to prevent breakage.
Media and Marketing
The Aruvacode pottery is famous but is it famous enough to
get these poor artisans a standard life is a question to be pondered on. No
online website or social media channels are there for their promotion. They
silently work with zero voice on their legacy or how great their work is
letting only the art speak for them.
They sell their products wholesale to the merchandisers who
take these products to shops .they even sell to loyal customers who walk-in to
their homes and get the products packed. They don’t take online order or so.
Though many videos and research studies are done on the Aruvacode pottery there are many people yet to know about this wonderful
culture. Though Nilambur stands as a tourist attraction site the Aruvacode has
not tasted the essence of the sweetness yet.
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