- Kerala Arts & Crafts Village- formulated and executed by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd
- The prime highlights of the space encompasses an amphitheatre, museums, studios for craftspeople to work and an art gallery
THoD Newsdesk, Kerala: The CM of Kerala dedicated the first phase of Kerala Arts & Crafts Village at Vellar, near Kovalam, as a “sprawling campus to promote and showcase Kerala’s vibrant art and cultural heritage”.
Stretching over an expanse of 8.5 acres, Kerala Arts and Crafts Village has been formulated and executed by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd (ULCCS Ltd) for Kerala Tourism Department. It is the perfect spot for visitors and art entthusiasts alike, to experience the best of Kerala’s traditional, folk and ethnic art, craft and performing traditions. ULCCS has completed the first phase of the project at a cost of Rs 20 crores. The Tourism Minister of the state will presided over the inaugural function, which was attended by Tourism Secretary, Smt Rani George and Tourism Director Shri P Bala Kiran.
The minister of tourism was quoted saying, “Kerala Martial Arts Academy, floated by the State Government to preserve and promote centuries old Kalaripayattu, will also be housed in the Arts and Crafts Village.”
The prime highlights of the space encompasses an amphitheatre, museums, studios for craftspeople to work and an art gallery, enabling the visitors to have a hands-on feel of the rich and diverse heritage of Kerala handed down through centuries. The campus also has dedicated spaces for artisans and craftspeople, mostly from south Kerala, to work and sell their exquisite and authentic products. Visitors can buy souvenirs and curios to add to their collection.
The Tourims Minister added, “A part of Kerala’s southern tourism circuit, Kerala Arts and Crafts Village is a unique project to present the splendid artistic legacy of south Kerala before a larger audience. It will be a go-to spot for tourists in the post-COVID phase, besides being an easy-to-reach family outing site for people in the region.”
Going further, this facility will also have sections for over 750 craftsmen and artisans, who have expertise in a variety of traditions, to work on their concepts, while being looked on by visitors. The artists who will be roped in by the facility, include those working on several sorts of materials. More than 50 crafts are presented in 28 studios with facilities for production, display and sales.
