We list the art and craft varieties of Kerala, which will make a perfect gift if you are willing to acquire them for your friends, relatives and office colleagues: 

Treasure Chest (Netturpetti): It is the ethnic jewel box of the women in Kerala, and was once a majestic mark of the influential families of the land. The casket (petti) originally designed in Malabar’s Nettur region is testimony to the skill and patience of the artisans.

The box made of rosewood is handcrafted. Every joint, screw and lock is shaped and chiseled by hand. The wooden box is varnished and later fixed with brass frames. This richly embellished box (with its conical lid) is today a collector’s item. The casket is fast turning a rare object.

Murals: Kerala is among India’s leading states including Rajasthan that boast a large collection of murals based on ancient Indian mythological themes. The Kerala murals have the stamp of unique aesthetic composition and techniques. Most of these murals were painted in the period between 15th and 19th centuries.

You could buy one at Rs. 2000 per sq ft onward depending on the complexity of the picture and its size. (Stop by at the Vasthuvidya Gurukulam, Parambarya Thachu Sastra Chuvarchithra Samrakshana Kendram, Aranmula, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.)

Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram: It is a uniquely crafted golden ring. Shaped like a knot, it is considered a sacred ornament.

Check for more shopping options in Kerala…

You can visit any handicrafts emporium and pick up the article of your choice. Fore more details, contact:
Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala
Park View, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India - 695 033
Phone: +91-471-2321132 Fax: +91-471-2322279
Tourist Information toll free No:1-800-425-4747
Email: info@keralatourism.org , deptour@keralatourism.org

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The holiday season is in full swing. Shopping for friends and relatives is an inseparable and the most enjoyable element of holidaying. We suggest you some exclusive and ethnic gift ideas. We start with Kerala. Here is what you can get as a gift from the state:

Kathakali masks: The Kathakali masks, an icon of Kerala’s culture-scape, are available as little, pretty souvenirs and showpieces. The painted face as well as long black hair of the costume, complete with the elaborate headgear, these curios are usually made in plaster of Paris, papier mache or clay. The masks are available at the government owned emporiums across Kerala and also at handicrafts showrooms near most famous temples and tourist destinations in the state.

Sandalwood sculptures: They are a tad expensive, but they bear the mark of the fragrance of a rich land and its and memories. The sandalwood sculptures are among the most popular souvenirs like the icons of Ganapathy, the elephant headed god; the trinity of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Mahesh), little snake boats and elephants.

Vaikkol chritrangal (straw picture): The beautiful backwaters and the evening sky, huts and hamlets, hills and valleys, boat race, village fairs, festivals… all these spellbinding sights of Kerala are superbly captured and brought to life in straw art. This craft of pasting straw cut to different sizes on canvas or cloth to create fabulous images is termed vaikkol chritrangal (straw picture).

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Kerala is among the must-visit states of India. Kerala, in many ways is aptly considered the jewel of India and handicraft especially is a precious nugget embedded into that dazzling jewel. The craft traditions of Kerala have all been perfected by the dedicated hands of the skilled craftsmen who thrive on wealth of forest riches.

The craft skills of the state artisans are entirely indigenous. The craftsmen can pick up any humble bit of material and then imbue it with a touch of magical mastery. The alchemy of these finished products of décor and utility is simply amazing. Woodcarving of Kerala, to give an example, is endowed with a rich and diverse variety of high quality tropical wood such as the distinguished rose wood, the indestructible teak, the luxuriant bamboo and the stately white cedar. It is but natural that the skills of the wood carvers are among Kerala’s timeless traditions.

For instance, craftsmen in Thiruvananthapuram work on rosewood elephants apart from conch and sea shell articles such as paper weights and lamp shades. The actual decorations and caparison for elephants, as well as other festival paraphernalia are done in Thiruvankulam, Ernakulam and the adjoining areas of Thrissur.

The god’s own country is famous for its carvings, cast bell metal work, granite idols, pillars, coir, jewelry, coconut carvings in wood (rosewood or sandalwood), shell and sea-shell products, superb snake boat models and other fabulous figurines. Each of these crafts is seen in select regions.

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Reputed travel firm TravelPort has on offer Enchanting Singapore package. It’s a perfect gift for your beloved family to bring smile on their faces this festive season.

Here are more details of the package:

4 Days | 3 Nights
Price: Rs 28,999 per head
Singapore (3 Nights)
  
DAY 1: Welcome to Singapore

Welcome to Singapore Changi Airport. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (Overnight stay in the hotel)

DAY 2: Singapore - city tour + night safari
A panoramic Half Day City Tour, driving past the colonial buildings, government houses, Little India and Chinatown, Merlion Park. Enjoy the view from the top of Mount Faber.

Night Safari in which you will get to experience a World of Endangered Wild Animals Brought from Different parts of World.

DAY 3: Singapore - Jurong bird park + sentosa island tour
Visit to the Bird Park of Singapore Known as “Jurong Bird Park where you will come across a Collection of over 8000 Birds of 600 different species. Take a View of the Park in a Panorail. Enjoy the All Star Bird Show & the Penguin Exhibit. You will then visit Sentosa Island.

Take a cable car ride from Mount Faber (including Admission, Cable Car, Images of Singapore, 4D Magix, Song of the Sea).

Day 4: Singapore - flight back home
Take home loving Memories of Enchanting Singapore.

The memories of this trip will remain etched in your mind forever, the best gift that you can gift to your near and dear ones.

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Everyone needs a break from the humdrum of daily life to rediscover charm of life outside the routine of workplace to home and vice versa. The long festive season is just round the corner, starting with Diwali, extending up to Christmas and then of course, the new year. The weather is nice and pleasant, and you are in a good mood.

This is the time to bring smiles on the face of your near and dear ones. Apart from gifting clothes and accessories, you can gift them an experience of a lifetime. We mean, a wonderful holiday package the memories of which would stay with them forever.

Of course, you need to approach a reliable service provider who will help you get the best in terms of accommodation, shopping, sightseeing and food – to make it the perfect package for you. TravelPort is one of the most trustworthy names when it comes to holidaying. Sample some of their exciting travel packages:

‘Niralo Rajasthan’

1. Desert Experience - 7 Days | 6 Nights
Bikaner (2 Nights) | Jaisalmer (2 Nights) | Jodhpur (2 Nights)

2. Golden Triangle - 7 Days | 06 Nights
Delhi (2 Nights) | Agra (2 Nights) | Jaipur (2 Nights)

3. Romantic Rajasthan - 9 Days | 8 Nights
Jaipur (2 Nights) | Jodhpur (2 Nights) | Udaipur (2 Nights) | Mount Abu (2 Nights)

Romantic

1. Himachal Package - 10 Days | 09 Nights
Shimla (2 Nights) | Manali (3 Nights) | Dharmshala (1 Night) | Dalhousie (2 Nights) | Chandigarh (1 Night)

2. Misty Himachal Honeymoon Package - 8 Days | 7 Nights
Shimla (2 Nights) | Manali(4Nights) | Chandigarh (1 Night)

3. Sun & Snow Himachal Honey Moon Package - 7 Days | 6 Nights
Parwanoo (1 Night) | Manali (3 Nights) | Shimla (2 Nights)

4. Kashmir Honeymoon Package - 6 Days | 5 Nights
Hotel Srinagar (2 Nights) | House Boat Srinagar (3 Nights)

5. Himalayan Golden Triangle - 8 Days | 7 Nights
Kalimpong (1 Night) | Darjeeling (3 Nights) | Gangtok (3 Nights)

6. Romantic Kerala Honey Moon Package - 8 Days | 7 Nights
Munnar (2 Nights) | Thekkedy(1 Night) | Kumarakom(1Night) | Alleppey (1 Night) | Kovalam (2Nights)

7. Romantic Uttaranchal Honeymoon - 8 Days | 7 Nights
Nanital (3 Nights) | Corbett (2 Nights) | Kausani (2 Nights)

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You will be pleasantly surprised to know that there is a full-fledged Governmental entity to promote jute and its usage. The idea behind forming this body is to propagate this natural fibre, which is extremely eco-friendly. What more, it has several practical applications. The fabulous fabric adorns walls, covers floors. It can come in rich colors and designs.

The Jute Manufactures Development Council (JMDC) is the national agency for promotion of Jute. It is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles. The prime objective of the council is effective marketing of jute products. It performs various other activities to promote jute like:

• Organization of domestic exhibitions/ sales
• Collaboration with the apex state and central marketing bodies
• Seminars, workshops and demos.
• Financial support to jute training institutions

JMDC comprises growers of jute, producers/ exporters of jute products and experts in jute growing. JMDC is an associate member of the US based, Textile Bag and Packaging Association. Know more about JMDC.

The JMDC website elaborating on various benefits of jute mentions: “One of the oldest industries in India, jute has traditionally been used for packaging. However, its versatility is only coming to light now as the world looks on for natural options to save the environment. The time has come for this natural fibre to take over with the ideal solutions for the modern world.” It points out that food grade jute bags and cloth are a boon in the context of global environmental and ecological problems.

The Union Government indeed wants to increase the jute products export. The government is encouraging people to widely use jute products. They are not only environmentally friendly, but also make a perfect lifestyle statement.

The recent Giftex show in Mumbai had a special showcase of jute products that received an overwhelming response, indicating their growing popularity. You can gift beautiful jute products to your friends, family and colleagues. It will make an unconventional present that will stand out for sure.

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The new trend is to be eco-chic. Green is in as people get more environmentally friendly and aware. Concern about adverse climate changes, rising energy costs and environmental degradation are among the main factors that are driving consumers towards clothes, fashion and other products made from environmentally sustainable materials.

Green is at a substantial crossroads, observe marketing experts who survey consumers’ shopping habits. The eco-friendly virtue of a product is a big incentive for consumers to buy it for its green connection. No surprise, more customers now like the idea of lifestyle products and accessories made from environmentally sustainable jute.

Jute is natural fibre and cheapest of all, and among the most environmentally friendly natural fibres owing to inherent unique properties. It scores over man-made fibre products on many counts like:

• Dimensional Stability: It extends merely 0.5% under stress to stable form.
• Capacity to Grip: Owing to its hairy strands of fabric that grips to any surface it cuts down risk of slippage.
• Physical Stability: It is stable up to ignition point at 193 Degree Celsius.
• Reparability, reusability, and biodegradability make it environmentally friendly. Burning emits same fumes as burning wood that have no adverse effects.

If you are really intent on being eco-chic, remember the ‘four Rs.’
• Reuse what you already have;
• Reclaim items to create something novel out of an existing item;
• Recycle to ensure an item is passed on to someone else, or has multiple uses.
• Revert to Jute.

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Jute jewelry is a novel accessory for women. Jute bags, fabrics, mats and wall hangings are already popular. Jute jewelry is also riding a wave of popularity. Jute is catching fancy of customers who are getting attracted by it’s qualities like durability and and eco-friendly nature. More importantly, it is cost effective.

Well-crafted jute jewelry looks magnificent. Pieces designed to enhance the beauty and elegance of the wearer boast superior finish and enchanting look. The unmatched quality of jute jewelry makes it a coveted possession. Jute jewellery is attracting buyers who earlier preferred imitation jewelry as the cost-affordable substitute for precious stones and metals. The deft designs and catchy colors of jute jewelry look superb.

Customers often find it unbelievable that such fantastic jewelry pieces can be crafted out of jute. Gold and silver jewelry retains it luster. But unconventional, eco-friendly pieces like danglers, rings and necklaces made of jute are catching up fast. Hokers, bracelets and bangles are also available to match every outfit. Jute jewelry has many takers because it fits buyers’ budget and indeed looks cool.

With gold and silver prices touching a new high, jute jewelry has emerged as a viable option. You can acquire a wide variety of trendy creations, said a visitor to the just-concluded Giftex 2008 in Mumbai where many fancy jute jewelry stalls were put up that showcased pieces with fine craftsmanship. Wooden beads, crystals, stones, pearls and stones are used to create lovely motifs on jute.

Layers of jute fabric are often cut in varied sizes and shapes. Jute jewelry is lightweight. It does not cause irritation to the skin. No surprise, exquisite jute jewelry is a favorite of eclectic buyers.

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There is a wide array of lifestyle jute products, which you can use and gift like attractive terracotta embedded items and wall decorative pieces. Jute craft is quite unique in terms of functionality, originality and looks. Popular items like decorative bags, lamp shades and flower pots part from handmade jute wall hanging make perfect gifts for people with unconventional, albeit classy tastes. You can get many more interesting and attractive jute products for gifting this festive season.

Jute products are noteworthy for perfection in design and dexterity in finishing. The jute handicraft represents skilled craftsmanship that transforms the natural jute into perfect gifting products with immense aesthetic appeal. Luxurious home décor products made of jute like cushion covers, tablemats, tea cosies and table covers go well with eclectic lifestyles.

Jute garments come in a spectrum of styles especially for festive occasions in embroidered, hand printed and dyed features.  Jute woven fabrics are used for attractive stuffed toys. Decorative pieces blended with spectacular embroidery made from jute look fabulous. Jute is a perfect medium to keep your household lively and luxurious. No surprise, cost-effective jute articles make catchy gifts.

Customized jute pouches bear a sign of individuality. Designer jute pouches are getting popular as a lifestyle product. They offer versatility in terms of designs, colors, sizes and styles, so you can get one to suit your style quotient. For instance, richly designed striped pouches in jute might fancy someone with a bold fashion sense and who loves looking look glamorous. These pouches make a bold style statement.

Jute lifestyle products lead one into an enchanting realm of unimagined opulence, and fill one’s life with color and joy. They accentuate the home décor through their exhilarating look and fine finish. They are bound to make a mark with their captivating look and high utility value.

Check attractive jute products’ range…

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The UK based ‘Me to You’ is renowned for its Grey colored teddy with cute blue nose as its mascot. The character has been licensed for a number of products comprising apparels, jewelry, cross-stitch kits and calendars. Archies stores across in India will be hosting ‘Me To You’ merchandise.

If you are one of those regular Archies Gallery visitors for getting gorgeous gifts, there is an additional option for you. According to Archies MD Mr. Anil Moolchandani, ‘Me To You’ products will be rolled out in 50 outlets across India followed by a nationwide rollout for the well-known brand. The merchandise will also be sold through their website.

Archies have secured an exclusive tie-up with the UK’s leading brand Carte Blanche to distribute/sell its renowned ‘Me to you’ line in India. It is among the most successful non-media based character brands globally. ‘Me to you’ boasts retail sales exceeding $800 million in the fiscal year 2008.

The popularity of ‘Me to You’ has not only built a multi-million dollar brand, but has also given rise to a hugely collectable character (a registered fan base of 360,000). The character that came to life on a greeting card has now become a real-life icon through which millions of people worldwide can convey and express their feelings. They see ‘Me to You’ as part of their life.

Mr. Richard Edmondson, commercial director of Carle Blanche Greetings has been quoted as saying: “It is important for the growth of the brand that we work with partners who can help us achieve our objective of making ‘Me to You’ a global brand. Through our tie-up with Archies in India, we hope to create a mark with our brand.”

Their focus has been to increase the brand’s dominance in international markets. ‘Me to You’ was first launched as a collection of greeting cards. It has since graduated to encompass wonderful, wide range proprietary and licensed products like gift dressings and accessories, jewelry, collectible figurines, plush toys, confectionery and cakes, crafting, party ware, posters, fashion stationery and other lifestyle products.

The brand’s website boasts 150 million hits every year. Users can download screensavers and games for mobile phones; leave messages and stay tuned to new product launches. Cuteness and sentiment drive the famous brand’s appeal cutting across all age groups and demographics.

Do not miss out this opportunity to gift a cute ‘Me To You’ teddy. Know more about ‘Me to You’ collectibles here….

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