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| John and Augustine, Villanasseri House, Perumanoor, Ernakulam |
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One hundred years of making wooden sandals is the tradition of Villanasseri House, Perumanoor, Ernakulam. And during this time they have had the good fortune to gift a ‘methiyadi’ to Mahatma Gandhi also.
John and Augustine of Villanasseri continue the tradition to the present day despite declining number of customers for their footwear. The holy month of Ramadan is the peak time for their sales and most of the customers are from Malabar area. Even in Kochi there are users for this ancient footwear. Another demand is from participants of Fancy Dress Competition in Arts Festivals. Patients undergoing Ayurvedic treatment constitute another section of the customers. Yet another occasion for their need arises while performing obsequies.
The wood for the footwear is obtained from ’Karingatta’ tree. The brothers scour the countryside in search of the raw material. After the log is sawed, pieces are cut from it to make the ‘methiyadi’. The toe-grip is made of teak or rosewood or ‘poopparuthi’.
Making the footwear is an exercise in patience, according to Augustine. May be that is why the new generation, including their children, have no inclination in continuing the tradition.
The workshop of 'methiyadi'
Courtesy: Praveen Ayyampilly (text), Benny Paul (photo), Metro, Malayala Manorama, April 9, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
