Handicraft Industry in Kerala

Kerala has a rich tradition of handicrafts with variety of materials including metals, ivory, cloth, bamboo, stone, palm leaves, clay, lacquer ware, seashells, wood, coconut shells, coir, and more. Kerala has various unique crafts like wood and horn carving, bell metal casting, ivory carving, hand embroidery, aranmula kannadi, nettipattam, pottery and coconut shell carving, which are commercially important. Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Cooperative Society (SURABI), Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala (HDCK) and Kerala Artisans Development Corporation (KADCO) are entrusted with the promotion of handicraft industry in Kerala. 

■ Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Co-operative Society (SURABHI)

Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Co-operative Society is an apex organisation of primary handicrafts co-operatives. It aims to uplift the artisans by marketing their products and supporting them through welfare schemes of State and Central Government. There are 38 Co-operative societies and 8 showrooms under Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Co-operative Society inside and outside the State. It also operates a craft development centre and a common facility centre at Ernakulam.

■ Kerala Artisans Development Corporation Ltd (KADCO)

KADCO commenced operations in 1981 with the aim of the socio-economic upliftment of traditional artisans. It formulates and implements initiatives such as financial assistance packages, self-employment promotion schemes, and awareness programs. KADCO aims to uplift the indigenous artisans of Kerala, including potters, carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, masons and those who work with copper/bronze and other handicrafts. KADCO introduced a registration based online labour data bank. It is to facilitate and empower the beneficiaries for their livelihood.

■ Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd (HDCK)

It began operations in 1968 to safeguard the interests of those engaged in the handicrafts sector. A Common Facility Service Centre operates in Thiruvananthapuram, focusing on the welfare of artisans who create wooden handicrafts. The corporation runs 19 showrooms across various locations in India, including major metropolitan cities; the products sold through these outlets are procured directly from the artisans. A special financial assistance scheme has also been introduced for those in need. The principal showroom and sales outlet in Kerala is the Sree Moolam Shashtyabdapurthi Memorial Institute (SMSMI).