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| Madavana Kumaran Achari, Cherai, Ernakulam. |
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The watch he wears is made of coconut shell; his wallet is made of web at the base of coconut leaf; his walking stick and pen are made of coconut wood; the frame for the spectacles, ring on the finger and the buttons of the shirt are made of coconut shell; even the footwear on his feet have coconut wood parts. Meet the grand old man of coconut handicrafts and utensils, Madavana Kumaran Achari, Cherai, Ernakulam.
His romance with the coconut started 60 years ago. And now his son Ranganathan and grandson Rangith continue the tradition. Although lots of changes have taken place in handicrafts and their appearances, the faith of the family in coconut continues unabated.
According to Achari, the most difficult part was making watch using coconut shell. The chain, lock, case and key button are made of shell; only the machinery inside is otherwise.
The VIPs who are recipients of his dexterity with coconut are plenty. While the 1st Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru received a coconut wood based torch from him, Indira Gandhi received a pen stand and ship, while Rajiv Gandhi received a pen stand and Morarji Desai got a walking stick.
Although he started the work as a means of self-employment, he is now able to give employment to a few others. As the demand for his products increase, he employs assistants to complete the task.
Courtesy: Nimmy George, Karshakashree, June 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
