The Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Kovalam, located in the village of Vellar in the Thiruvananthapuram district, is a commendable initiative by the Kerala government to preserve and promote the state's rich artistic and handicraft traditions. Spread across 8.5 acres of lush greenery, this vibrant village serves as a living museum, offering an immersive experience into the world of traditional Kerala craftsmanship. A Showcase of Kerala's Artistic Heritage: The village is home to numerous studios where skilled artisans from across Kerala practice their crafts. Visitors have the unique opportunity to witness these artisans at work, gaining insight into the intricate techniques involved in creating traditional items. The variety of crafts on display is truly impressive, encompassing: Wood Carving: Intricate sculptures, furniture, and decorative pieces showcasing Kerala's rich wood carving heritage. Metalworking: Traditional lamps, utensils, and other metal artifacts, often with religious or cultural significance. Pottery and Clay Modeling: Demonstrations of traditional pottery techniques and the creation of clay figures and utilitarian items. Visitors might even get a chance to try their hand at the potter's wheel. Textiles and Weaving: Exhibits of handloom products like the famed Balaramapuram handlooms, showcasing the weaving process and the beautiful fabrics produced. Painting: Traditional Kerala mural art and other forms of painting, reflecting the state's vibrant cultural narratives. Coir and Coconut Husk Crafts: Sustainable and eco-friendly products made from coconut fibers and husks. Jewellery Making: Traditional Kerala jewellery designs. Other Crafts: Including items made from bamboo, reeds, and palm leaves. Experiencing the Village: Beyond just observing the artisans, the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village offers a multifaceted experience: Studios and Workshops: Visitors can walk through the various studios, interact with the artisans, and learn about their craft directly. Some studios might even offer workshops for those interested in trying their hand at a particular art form. Art Gallery and Museum: The village houses a well-curated art gallery and possibly a small museum showcasing a collection of traditional Kerala arts and crafts. Sales Emporium: A dedicated emporium allows visitors to purchase authentic, handcrafted souvenirs directly from the artisans, supporting the local community and taking home a piece of Kerala's heritage. The prices are generally considered reasonable. Cultural Performances: The village often hosts cultural programs and live demonstrations, providing a glimpse into Kerala's vibrant performing arts traditions. There is an amphitheater for such events. Restaurant: A restaurant within the village offers traditional Kerala cuisine at affordable prices, allowing visitors to savor the local flavors. The Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Kovalam is a significant cultural destination that offers a valuable and enriching experience for tourists and locals alike. It provides a platform for artisans to showcase their skills and for visitors to connect with Kerala's rich heritage. The opportunity to witness the creation process, interact with the artisans, and purchase authentic handicrafts makes it a unique and worthwhile visit. The well-maintained premises, cultural events, and dining options further enhance the overall experience. While some visitors have noted potential challenges with transportation to the village and occasional maintenance work, the overwhelming sentiment is that it is a "must-visit" destination for anyone interested in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala. It's a place where art, culture, and heritage come alive, offering a memorable glimpse into the...
Read moreKerala Arts and Crafts Village is located in Cellar, Kovalam, Trivandrum. This Arts and Crafts Village was inaugurated on 16th January,2021 by honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan. The whole area is spread across in 8.5 acres which aims to rejuvenate Kerala State's handicraft culture. Though main entrance of this Village cannot be viewed from a normal traffic, there is enough indication (banner) to lead the way from NH bypass to Main entrance gate. There is an entry amount to be paid at the entrance. Also, parking fee is also charged along with the entrance fee. The ticket should be retained until you come back. There is a QR code printed on the ticket. Whenever you purchase any handicraft from each stall, you can choose to either pay at individual stalls or scan the QR code printed on the ticket at individual stalls. This QR code will help you to make entire payment (Centralised Payment) in one go at the Emporium instead of you pay at individual stalls. Currently, most of stalls accepts only Cash payment and few stalls/emporium accepts Google pay as well. Credit and Debit Cards are not accepted here and the arrangement to accept Credit/Debit Card shall be done in Future. Enough parking space is available inside the premise. At the entrance, atleast 10-20 cars can be easily parked. If this is filled, there is another Parking lot near to the amphitheatre, where few cars can be easily parked.
It would take about 3 hours to see the whole village. I would recommend visiting this place during evening hours around 3:30-4 pm so that Sunset can be viewed from here.
There are about 25 - 30 stalls, which showcases different handicraft items. The Stalls showcases the items and also Sells the items. Most of the handicraft items are expensive and few falls within our budget. You can see Mural paintings, cane products, jewellery, Wooden handicrafts, wooden statues made of redwood,teak, mahagony etc., clothing, coir products, home decors etc.
In emporium building, you can see paintings of various artists from all across Kerala (Trivandrum to Kasargod). The paintings are also pretty expensive. The children Park area is still under construction.
They plans to slowly start traditional dance shows during Saturday and Sunday evening hours to attract the crowd. Also, this village is opened (from morning 10 am) until 7 pm in the evening currently. The timings may be extended in the future once they start traditional dance shows like Kathakali, kolkali etc. There's only one restaurant available inside, which is near to Amphitheatre.
This is a very good tourist destination in Trivandrum and visitors can appreciate various art forms and handicraft of Kerala. I would recommend every tourist to drop in at this place and enjoy various art...
Read moreKerala Arts and Crafts Village is a must-visit for anyone interested in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala. The village is home to over 30 studios where artisans practice their crafts, including wood carving, metalworking, pottery, and painting. Visitors can watch the artisans at work and purchase their wares. The village also has a museum that showcases the history and culture of Kerala.
The Kerala Arts and Crafts Village is located in Kovalam, about 16 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The village is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. The entrance fee is 100 rupees for adults and 50 rupees for children.
I highly recommend a visit to the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village. It is a great place to learn about the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala and to purchase unique souvenirs. The village is also a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Here are some of the things I liked about the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village:
The variety of crafts on display is amazing. There is something for everyone, from traditional wood carvings to modern paintings.
The prices are very reasonable. I was able to purchase several souvenirs without breaking the bank.
The artisans are very friendly and knowledgeable. They are happy to answer questions about their crafts and to demonstrate their techniques.
The village is well-maintained and clean. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and the studios are all well-organized.
The restaurant serves delicious food at reasonable prices. I highly recommend the thali, which is a traditional Kerala meal served on a banana leaf.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience at the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village. I would definitely recommend it to anyone...
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