Vellinezhi: Riverside Setting, Kathakali and Metalwork

Vellinezhi lies on the banks of the Kunthipuzha. The place’s cultural themes include the Kathakali history of Olappamanna Mana and the metalwork of Moosari artisans. Each offers a different perspective: the Mana leads to the history and teaching of a performing art, while the craft focuses on its products and how they are made. The riverside setting adds a distinct element alongside these cultural themes.

Olappamanna Mana and Kathakali

Olappamanna Mana was the ancestral home of a Namboothiri family that gave particular support to Kathakali. The Mana also served as a Kaliyogam, or school for Kathakali. The family connection and the school’s function represent different aspects of this history: one describes the art’s patronage, the other its teaching. The Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali was also revived at Olappamanna Mana. This adds a specific stylistic history to the story of patronage and instruction. For a precise understanding, it is worth distinguishing Kathakali as an art form from the Kalluvazhi style: the revived tradition is a particular style within the cultural connection to the Mana.

Another Kathakali connection is the Naanu Nair Smaaraka Kalakendram in Vellinezhi. In September 2016, Kathakali performances were offered there on request in advance. If a performance is important to your trip, check before planning whether dates are currently available. The Kalakendram is a separate venue for performances; the history of Olappamanna Mana describes another aspect of Kathakali culture.

Moosari craft and metal mirrors

Moosari artisans mainly make Adakkaputhur metal mirrors. They also craft jewellery, household items and kitchen utensils from bronze or brass. The mirror is the main product, while the other items extend the work beyond a single product. The craft thus encompasses both a distinctive main product and items for adornment and everyday use.

To make Adakkaputhur metal mirrors, a mould is first made from beeswax, castor oil and sambrani, or benzoin resin. The mould is then covered with mud or clay. The sequence distinguishes the three materials used for the mould from the material used for the outer covering. The order of steps is key to understanding the process: first the mould, then the covering. Sambrani is easier to identify by its other name, benzoin resin; mud or clay is used for the subsequent covering step. The materials used thus add a specific part of the manufacturing process to the description of the products.

The two cultural perspectives differ mainly in their subject: Kathakali centres on patronage, a school and a stylistic tradition; the Moosari work centres on product types and a specific step in the making process. When choosing what to focus on, you can therefore opt for the history of a performing art or an insight into craftsmanship.

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