Bell Metal

Metal works in Kerala has a long tradition of dating back to the second millennium B.C. Metal has had a long relationship with the religious commitments and beliefs in Kerala. The studies also reveal that the metal alloys have been in use in Kerala from time immemorial, perhaps as old as lamps, bells and other temple requirements and utensils to meet the customary requirements of the public. Bell Metal crafts include Aranmulla Mirror, Traditional Para, Brass Decorated Jewel Box, Manichitrathazhu, Nataraja on Metal, Oil Lamps. Metal work is an ancient art of Kerala. The production of Temple bells and lamps have been in existence from very early times. Kerala has been the home of bell-metals. These gleaming bell metals are alloyed from a mixture of brass, tin and copper provide the raw substance for making tower-like lamps. Different types of cooking vessels, like the magnificent 'Varpu', tumblers for drinking etc are some of the other bell metal items.  Thiruvananthapuram, Irinjalakuda and Kasaragod  are the main centers of bell-metals. The religious icons from Kerala has a wonderful directness, devotion and serenity associated with them like the unusual icon of the tandava dance, known as gaja tandava or gajasamhara, where Shiva is crushing the demon in an elephant form. The chief centres in Kerala for icons are Thiruvananthapuram, Payyanur in Kannur district, and Angadipuram in Palakkad district. A special and famed product of Aramula, a village near Chengannur in Kerala is the metal mirror made out of an alloy of copper and tin and its polished face resembling glass because of its wonderful reflecting quality.