American Folklore Society

Aranmula Kannadi: The Exclusive Art of a South Indian Temple Formatted: Font: Not Italic, No underline
Formatted: Centered
Abstract
Formatted: Font: Not Italic, No underline
The beauty of a state lies in its cultural heritage which it has preserved throughout the ages,
and Kerala is one. Kerala, also known as ‘God’s Oown Ccountry’, is famous for its beauty
and culture. which they’ve preserved it till now, what alsoApart from its natural beauty and
cultural legacies, Kerala is also they are famous is for their love of god. Kerala hasfor its
numerous many beautiful temples and theirit also lures for many tourists usingowing to their
artistic and architectural beauty. Each city and district of Kerala has something special and
unique that which makes it different from any other place., On the premise that the beauty of
a state lies in its cultural heritage that it manages to preserve through ages, I propose to
investigate in the present paperthe a place I’d be researching on isin Kerala known as
Aranmula. Arnamula, a small district located in the heart of Kerala, holds a great cultural
heritage of divinity; itAranmula produces a variety of mirror which is commonly known as
the ‘Aranmula Kannadi’. the word ‘Kannadi’ denotes mirror in Malyalam.

Theis mirror produced in Aranmula holds great significance both historically and culturally,
as it’s not an ordinary mirror. Aranmula Kannadi is made inside the temple known as
Aranmula temple which worships where Lord Krishna (a Hindu deity) is worshipped. tThe
composition of this mirror is completely made up offrom metals, and not from glass. The
making of this mirror is kept a secret by the priests who produce it; the priests of Aranmula
temple have successfully managed to keep it a secret till now.. However, the interesting fact
about this mirror is that the secret held so tighly by the priests here is not the kind of metals
used for the formation of this mirror is not the secret, but the ratio in which of differentthe
metals are mixed to make this mirror.used is the secret. The priests of Aranmula temple have
successfully managed to keep it secret till now. It’s a mirror of great value,significance in the
belief system of the people this region as because this mirror is saidsaid it is believed to bring
peace and prosperity into one’s life. house. I propose to critically analyze some of the most
significant questions associated with this tradition and practice. Some of the questions like
The question arises here is ‘Wwhy is this process of making this mirror it still being kept a
ssecret from everyone else”, and “why the value of thise mirror is so high”, etc.?’ In the
process, There are manyseveral myths associated to this tradition will also be analyzedit. The
roots of this craft that is traced back to Harappan civilization will also be analyzed.Some say
its craft skill which has been passed from the Harappan civilization, as aArchaeologists have
found the use of copper mirror datingaround 1900 B.C, if this is true then it would
supportupholding the ‘Aryan-invasion’ theory given byof R.E.M Wheeler., butHowever,
there is no concrete evidence between the linkage of Aranmula Kannadi and the copper
mirror which was found in Harappa. Despite this Tthe Aranmula mMirror still holds a
significant value for those who believe in Lord Krishna. I propose to investigate such
questions associated to the craft and skill as well as belief system of the people of Aranmula
through the production of an object like a mirror.
I propose to investigate why Aranmula Kannadi is being kept secret from everyone and why
has the secret prevailed till now.