Handmade Aranmula Mirror
Aranmula Valkannadi - This is traditional aranmula valkannadi
This crafting metal mirrors is a tradition of Kerala that goes back 500 years.. Archaeological excavations at Harappa have yielded a mirror made copper with a five inch diameter. The Rig veda also mentions the presence of the metal mirror. The ancestors of this craft could have migrated to South India from Saptha-Sindhu and are descendants of the great masters of the Indus Valley civilization. In Aranmula a heritage village on the banks of the Pamba river, a group of skilled, metal-casting artisans make these mirrors. The mirrors received a geographical indication (GI) tag.
It is believed that keeping an Aranmula kannadi/mirror in the house brings prosperity and luck to the owner. For this reason, it is given as a gift during weddings and housewarming ceremonies. People are typically intrigued that a mirror made of alloy has reflective properties like a plane glass mirror, and also surprised that the alloy is brittle.
Instruction for Uses:- Keep the mirror under room temperature away from heat and dust. Do not touch by fingers on the reflective surface. Finger prints with the moisture should be cleaned off immediately preventing corrosion. The moisture will spoil the mirror and frame.
MAINTANANCE PROCESS:- Sprinkle the red-oxide powder and talcom powder on the mirror and hold it in slant position allowing dust and other particles rolled off from the reflective surface. Use cotton wool to rub the surface softly and smoothly in vertical direction (up and down).
Frame polishing - On the frame you can use any metal polish (Brasso or Dara). In case of any fungus formation due to careless handling just use few drops of edible oil on the affected portion with the fingers and rub it for one or two minutes and then clean it as mentioned above. The red-oxide process of cleaning can be repeated continuously five times or until you get the original reflection.
Do not use any other metal polish on the mirror.
