In the village of Aranmula on the banks of Kerala's Pamba river, a group of skilled artisans spend their days in hot and dusty workshops, crafting metal mirrors, a tradition that goes back hundreds of years.
Originally, these artisans were known for creating exquisite bronze idols of deities. But around 2000 years ago, they handcrafted a special mirror known as the Aranmula kannadi, which surpassed the idols as their most famous product. The mirror is made from a copper-tin alloy with trace elements. To this day, the composition remains a closely guarded secret, passed from one generation to the next.
So what makes the Aranmula kannadi unique? The fact that it lets you see yourself as you truly are.
The Aranmula Kannadi is a front surface reflection mirror, which eliminates secondary reflections and aberrations typical of back surface mirrors. As opposed to the image produced in common glass mirrors, the reflection formed in the Aranmula Kannadi does not undergo refraction.
In 2002, the world recognised the craftsmanship of these traditional metallurgist and the GI tag was given to Aranmula Kannadi.
Interestingly, it is believed that the secret mix of the alloy was revealed to a woman in the family in a dream. In the ancient times, it was used mostly by the royal families!
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