Design Resource
Aranmula Kannadi - Kerala
Metal Mirror Handicrafts
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Amulya S.
Tools and Raw Materials
Tools and raw materials that are used for Aranmula kannadi:
• Clay is used in making the mould for the metal casting.
• Baked clay slabs are used as a base for the mould building.
• Copper and Tin are the two important alloys used in making the metal mirror.
• Coal is used for firing in the furnace and also as a softening agent to get a smooth finish of the mirror.
• Coconut coir is used in the furnace for firing the mould and in melting the metal.
• Beeswax is used in making the channel in mould for easy casting.
• Furnace is used to melting the metal and baking the clay.
• Wooden slab with a handle is used as a holder for the metal mirror in the process of polishing.
• Emery paper is one of the initial polishing apparatuses of the mirror.
• Velvet cloth is used in the process of polishing.
• Soft cotton cloth is used in the process of final polishing.
• Chisels are used in engraving and embellishing the brass mirror frame.
• Hack saw blade is used in cutting and shaping the mirror.
• Grinding machine is used in buffing and grinding the brass mirror frame.
• Foundry moulding boxes are used in box moulding the brass metal frame.
• Hammer is used in hitting the chisels.
• Stone platform is used as the base in the process of grinding the mud.
• Coconut oil is used in polishing the mirror.
• Water is used in multiple processes while making the mirror.
• Adhesive is used in sticking the mirror to the frame.
• Brass ring is used in sealing the mirror to the frame.
