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Palm umbrellas fast becoming extinct
by Juhan Samuel

       Cherthalla (Kerala): Once the pride of Kerala's artisan community, the ancient art of umbrella making is gradually becoming extinct, with no takers for the tedious work and next-to-nil returns. Made of palm leaves and bamboo, these umbrellas held great significance for the user at one time. They were only used by kings or the upper caste in Kerala. But the artisans and their handicrafts are fast becoming extinct owing to cheap, low cost plastic umbrellas taking their place. The traditional way of making these umbrellas is unknown to the younger generation. The process of making these umbrellas requires a lot of hard work and the returns are very less, which is hardly acceptable to youngsters.

    One of the few artisans left is P. Vellayudhan who, at the age of 82, is still continuing with this profession. A resident of remote Pannavalli village in Kerala's Alleppey District, Vellayudhan has made thousands of such umbrellas since he first began at the age of 22. "Around 40 years back my father used to make umbrella's for school going children, I learned this technique from my father as one cannot make or learn this on his own, one should have deep interest and a mind to work hard for it," said Vellayudhan. Vellayudhan laments the younger generation's lack of interest in preserving this ancient art form. "Except me, I don't think there is anyone left who knows how to make these umbrellas. Everyone left as the job requires a lot of strain and hard work, one has to travel far areas like Mannar to get the palm leaves and other materials after paying heavy amounts and if at all one takes the entire strain the returns are very less", he added. Making just one umbrella requires at least two weeks, as the artisans have to travel to far off areas to collect the palm leaves and bamboo sticks. Known as Panaolla kuda in the local dialect as it is made of palm leaf, the cost of one of these the umbrellas ranges between Rs 500 to Rs 600. These days, the umbrellas are used primarily in temples and during annual festivals. Each umbrella can withstand all weather conditions and can last for 15 to 20 years without any defect. In Kerala umbrellas were made from another variety of palm, called as kuda pana. There were different types of umbrellas like kalan kuda , mara kuda, thopi kuda and kundan kuda.

      In ancient times, according to the higher caste people, it was beyond their dignity to cover the head with caps made of palm leaves or using cloth turbans; however, there existed a universal practice to carry an umbrella. The umbrella of those times was made of leaves of palm tree or Palmyra. It had a long bamboo handle of which the length increased according to the dignity of the person carrying it. It was further stipulated that it should be carried with the end of the handle in the palm of the hand and the arm stretched down at full length. After the British rule, the natural umbrella gave way to the European black umbrella. The lower castes often twisted a small cloth loosely round the head in the form of an embryo turban, but this was to be removed in the presence of Superiors as it was customary to be bare above the waist while standing before them.
-Sept 2,  2006

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