Reflections on the mirror-making techniques of Aranmula in Kerala
The Aranmula Kannadi or mirror, is a metal-alloy mirror, made in Kerala and traditionally gifted during Vishu, the Kerala New Year. It symbolises prosperity and good luck. It is thought to reflect a person’s true nature. The speciality of the mirror is that it has none of the distortions found in typical mirrors that refract light.
The Making
Even today the Aranmula mirror is crafted, using the old technique, handed down generations for more than 500 years to the craftspeople. Only they know the secret proportion to the alloy of copper and tin. Coconut coir and coal are used to melt the copper and tin into an alloy. The alloy is then shaped into a concave mirror, after which it is hand-polished for several days with over 10,000 strokes. The mirror is further polished in turns with emery paper, velvet cloth, and soft cotton for a flawless finish. Polishing is a big part of the finished product and artisans spend a few days to polish each mirror. Each artisan can make only 10 mirrors a month. The mould for the mirror is made from clay while the channels for casting are made from beeswax.
The Legacy
Skilled artisans from Aranmula in Kerala keep the craft alive. Folklore has it that once upon a time, a king invited eight skilled families who specialised in temple arts and crafts from Tirunelveli district to Aranmula to make mirrors for the Parthasarathy temple. Impressed by the mirror they made, the temple priest included the Aranmula kannadi as one of the sacred items used for worship. Over the years, the kannadi also became an integral component of the ashtamangalyam, one of the eight auspicious wedding items.
Memory Vault
The British Museum in London showcases a 45-centimetre Aranmula Kannadi. Several notable figures, such as the former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, and music maestro Ghulam Ali, own these mirrors. The Aranmula Kannadi was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2004. Kerala Tourism also recognises Aranmula as a heritage village.
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