Aranmula Metal Mirror (Aranmula Kannaadi)

		The famous 'Aranmula Kannady' is made in Aranmula  village In Kerala State ,India by the traditional craftsmen. It is not made of glass but with bell metal. This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world. Its techniques is handed down from generation to generation.    The Aranmula Metal Mirror is a unique object, mysterious in its creation unequalled in its beauty. The metal mirror, a marvel in the annals of metallurgy was in vogue long before the appearance of today's Silicon synthetic glass mirror.It was in use far off Egypt and Bagdad. Its creation is a closely guarded secret, known to a few families Aranmula Metal Mirror manufacturing was staged in the early 18th century. It represents a fascinating area of culture and technological curiosity. Mysterious in its creation, unequaled in its beauty, this metal mirror, a mediaeval Dravidian marvel in the annals of metallurgy was in vogue long before the appearance of today's silicon glass mirror. This is constrained to only one household of master craftsmen in Aranmula. The origin of metal mirror of Amnmula is closely connected with the Aranmula Padhasarathy Temple which is deemed to be the nerve centre cf Pamba valley civilization. The art of  making metal mirror has been practiced in the various parts of the world. Sree Parthasarathy temple,Aranmula Aranmula is traditional Village in Pathanamthitta district ,Kerala State India And about 110KM North from Trivandrum ,the State Capital and 125 Km South from Cochin.  Aranmula is famous for Aranmula Metal Mirror) and the centuries old Vaishnavite Temple , the Sree Parthasarathy temple on the banks of the Holy River Pampa, is fast turning into a cultural tourism centre in the State with growing  number of foreign tourists visiting the place. Every year, tourists from Australia, Canada, England, Switzerland, besides many other European countries reach Aranmula TRADITION The legend has it, that eight families of expert in temple arts and craft had been brought by the local Royal Chief of Amnmula from Sankarankoil situated in the present day Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu in connection with certain works in the Parthasarathy Temple centuries ago. While working with the bronze to make a crown for the Lord Parthasarathy, to their surprise the artisans discovered the reflective property of one particular copper-tin alley. However they failed to reproduce the compositions. The oral history continues to say that a divine interference came from Parvathi Amma, a widow of community, through a dream. She received a secret ratio of the alley. There is a story in Puranas, that, the mirror of Godess Parvathi , is a diva Vasthu which symbolizes pact with God.