Hy Local Guides,
Yesterday (17th January 2025) Kerala: Art & Culture Village Meetup was conducted at Kerala Arts & Crafts Village. First of all I thank @Globe_trotter_Ish and @aleena1 for giving me this idea of conducting it and showing the community about Hand-made heritage and Accessibility.
What is Kerala Arts & Crafts Village
It’s an initiative by the Tourism Department of Kerala to give space for Skilled Artists and other handicraft sections. We can find most handmade items such as bags, clothes and even musical instruments. There are two kinds of business happening inside : shops that are owned by Kerala Arts & Crafts village and shops that are independent. Majority of independent shops also have a physical store outside the KACV. There is also The Chef’s Studio where new chefs come for training. Chef Studio also collects their ingredients from Local stores.
Let’s dive into what stores in KACV have to say:
Musical instruments
This is Simod Naghavan with a Madhalam (a musical instrument). He is from Peruvamba, Palakkad which is known for the making of most of the musical instruments in Kerala. He also said that this is an independent store where the original store is in Palakkad where they teach every musical instrument. He also added that the KACV made hand-craft community comes together and grows together.
Paper Quilling
This is Asha Anish who works on Paper Quilling. Paper Quilling is a type of Art form where Paper strips are rolled and shaped together with glue to create a decorative picture. Asha started this store 4 years ago with her husband. She also added that this community has made her some profitable revenue.
Paper strips used for making the art.
Terracotta & Ceramics
This is Shinu Prasad who works on his clay model. He also has a physical store outside the KACV called Chaithram Pottery Centre. His store in KACV provides clay making, terracotta making and heating.
Handloom
Handloom section where a person sewing cloth material.
Accessibility
There’s an independent store where persons with Disabilities sell their handicraft products.
Wheelchair accessible 
entrance and exist are present inside and in the entrance of KACV compound. We can say KACV is Fully wheelchair accessible and visually accesibile.
Inclusive Bathrooms (with differently abled bathrooms and Gender neutral bathrooms) are present inside KACV.
Some of art around KACV
#handmadeheritagewalk
