Alleppy, Kerala, is renowned for its coconut shell craftsmanship, traditionally practiced by coconut farmers, particularly from the Vishwakarma community. The process begins with collecting ripe coconuts, which are hollowed out to remove the copra. Skilled artisans then select well-shaped shells, clean and smoothen the surface, and cut them into the desired shape. Tools like stencils and bow blades are used to shape the shells, and edges are smoothed using files. Drilling is done for small holes if necessary, and different parts of the product are assembled with strong adhesives like Fevikwik or Fevicol. Artisans carve intricate designs onto the shell, followed by polishing with bee wax. To achieve a glossy finish, the product is coated with synthetic varnish. Finally, the finished piece is dried under the sun. The resulting items- such as bowls, vases, and lampshades- are recognized globally for their craftsmanship and unique appeal.
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