Kunhimangalam Bronze Craft
Kunhimangalam is a small village in the neighbourhood of Payyanur in Kannur district of Kerala. It is a village of craftsmen, especially of bronze and bell metal craft. These craftsmen, known as moosaris, are famous for making idols, lamps and other artifacts.
Many temples in Kerala as well as the Mangalore and Coorg region of Karnataka have idols made of panchaloha (five metals) from Kunhimangalam. Idol making is a sacred task for them, not just a business. Another item they are known for is the range of lamps they make, particularly the Lakshmi vilakku (lamp), which has goddess Lakshmi flanked by two elephants. This traditional oil lamp is considered sacred and believed to bring prosperity to the house. There are also Krishna and Dasavathara lamps made here. This place is also famous for household and puja articles like kindi (water container with a nozzle) and uruli (shallow cooking vessel).
Most of the articles are made without machines or moulds and hence are unique or exclusive. There are more than a hundred families engaged in this craft in and around Payyannur, many of whom take direct orders from and deliver to customers. An institution to train the younger generation in the craft was started a few years back but is not in existence now.