Kerala’s traditional crafts on the brink: Chendamangalam looms shut down

KOCHI: The once prosperous Chendamangalam village is now a bleak place. The sound of looms moving in the villages is becoming less and less noticeable.

One of the major problems plaguing the industry, apart from low wages, is the reluctance of young people to take up the craft. If things do not change, the master artisans of Chendamangalm handloom will soon be a thing of the past.

It is said that in the past, most households in Chendamangalam owned a loom and people earned income from it. However, barely a few people work from home today. The situation is serious even in the weaving cooperative societies.

In fact, many traditional industries, including goldsmithing, blacksmithing, carpentry, pottery and many others, are facing a similar crisis.

Suji Karumaloor, a traditional potter and entrepreneur, believes these industries need to change now.

“One of the main concerns is the decline in wages and product prices. This has prompted the younger generation to look for greener pastures. There is no one to pass on the business to,” he says.

Today, Suji employs migrant workers and teaches them the craft to run his pottery unit. And many of these crafts have become seasonal businesses, Suji says. “Earlier, pottery was in demand all year round. Now, we get work for four months at the most,” he adds.

Due to lack of resources and manpower, Kerala’s once thriving handloom and handicraft industries are on the brink of extinction, setting off alarm bells.