Aranmula mirror-making being monopolised: craftsmen

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTPATHANAMTHITTA:, DECEMBER 01, 2015 00:00 ISTUPDATED: MARCH 24, 2016 13:09 IST

The metal mirror of Aranmula.— Photo: Leju Kamal  

A group of craftsmen have alleged that they are unable to continue their vocation of Aranmula Kannadi-making because a few artisans have managed to obtain the Geographical Indication tag for the product as per the Geographical Indication Registry of 2003.

Talking to reporters here Monday, the craftsmen, Ponnappan Achary, Mohanan Achary, Balachandran Aranmula, and R. Murukan, said the Aranmula Viswa Brahmana Metal Mirror Nirman Society had obtained the GI tag for the Aranmula Kannadi, restricting the mirror-making rights to the members of that society.

Foul play

Mr. Murukan alleged that the society had consciously denied membership to many veterans. He said his application for membership too was not considered, saying that they had not received his application. Mr. Murukan presented before the reporters an audio recording of his telephonic conversation with a society office-bearer, confirming the receipt of his application.

In crisis

Viswa Brahmana Samooham president K.N. Radhakrishnan alleged that the denial of membership had left veteran metal mirror-makers in Aranmula in deep crisis.

“Mirror-making is our vocation and we do not know any other work. We too should be made part of the society, if it has obtained GI registration for the product, and it is mandatory for our work,” the artisans said.

A veteran craftsman in Aranmula who has trained many in the making of the mirror too has been denied his right to continue his vocation, Mr. Murukan alleged.

News link https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/aranmula-mirrormaking-being-monopolised-craftsmen/article7935626.ece

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