Aranmula kannadi
Also called: Aranmula metal mirror · Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Aranmula kannadi is a handmade metal mirror from Aranmula in Kerala. Kannadi means mirror. It is made of a special copper-tin alloy (a mix of metals) and polished until it shines like glass. Ordinary glass mirrors reflect from a silver coating at the back. This mirror reflects from its front surface, so the image is clear and has no double outline. It was one of the first Indian crafts to get a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, in 2004–05. A GI tag is a legal label linking a product to its place of origin.
Example
Families of craftsmen at Aranmula, near the Parthasarathy temple in Pathanamthitta district, still make these mirrors. The exact mix of the alloy is a closely guarded family secret.
Related concepts
- Gupta art
- Sarnath school of art
- Mudras
- Abhaya mudra
- Bhumisparsha mudra
- Dharmachakra mudra
- Dhyana mudra
- Varada mudra
- Vitarka mudra
- Anjali mudra