Tap online potential to market handicraft products globally: Kerala CM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the first phase of Kerala Arts & Crafts Village through video conference at Vellar, Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. (From left) EM Najeeb, Senior Vice-President, IATO; D. Suresh Kumar, President, District Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram; Kadakampally Surendran, Tourism Minister; Padma Shri Meenakshi Amma; Rani George, Principal Secretary, Tourism, and P Bala Kiran, Director, Tourism, are also seen.

Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, has said that it is important to tap the possibilities of online marketing for handicraft products to preserve and promote the state’s widely-acclaimed art and craft traditions and enhance their global appeal.

The Chief Minister was speaking after dedicating the first phase of Kerala Arts & Crafts Village (KACV) at Vellar near Kovalam here, as a sprawling campus to showcase Kerala’s vibrant art and cultural heritage.

“The project is aimed at preserving our traditional arts and handicrafts. By lending a unique appeal to arts and crafts, we have to raise them to global standards. It is also important to explore the opportunity of online marketing of our handicraft products,” said Mr. Vijayan, while inaugurating the facility through video conference.

Noting that it’s a proud moment for tourism sector, the Chief Minister said the KACV would be firmly marked on the global tourism map.

“Tourism sector is forging ahead by overcoming so many challenges. Due to Covid-19, the sector has incurred a loss of Rs 40,000 crore. The government is committed to bring about a growth in tourism sector without harming the environment,” he said.

Spread around 8.5 acres of panoramic locale, KACV has been designed and implemented by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd (ULCCS Ltd) for Kerala Tourism Department, making it an ideal destination for visitors and art buffs alike to enjoy the best of Kerala’s traditional, folk and ethnic art,craft and performing traditions.ULCCS has completed the first phase of the project at a cost of Rs.20 crore.

Mr. Vijayan noted that ULCCS has completed the first phase of KACV before the stipulated time.

Kadakampally Surendran, Tourism Minister, who presided over the function, said that the government’s approach is to promote tourism as an activity for the economic benefit of the common people. “In that sense, KACV is a shining model and it will definitely elevate the position of Kerala, especially Kovalam and the capital city, on the global tourism map to the golden status.”

Mr. Surendran also launched KACV Kalari Academy Concept Book by handing it over to Kalaripayattu practitioner Padma Shri Smt Meenakshi Amma.

Mr. Shashi Tharoor MP gave his message on the occasion through video conference.

In her welcome address, Rani George, Principal Secretary, Tourism, said that KACV is going to be another sought-after destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Presenting the report on the project, Tourism Director P. Bala Kiran said the capital city is now passing through the golden era of tourism development considering the number of projects being implemented by the government.

The key features of the complex include an amphitheatre, museums, studios for craftspeople to work and an art gallery, enabling the visitors to have a hands-on feel of the rich and diverse heritage of Kerala handed down through centuries.

The campus has dedicated spaces for artisans and craftspeople, mostly from south Kerala, to work and sell their exquisite and authentic products. Visitors can buy souvenirs and curios to add to their collection.

Developed on the model of Sargalaya at Iringal in Kozhikode district, Kerala Arts & Crafts Village has design strategy lab, game zones, handloom village, reading rooms, food courts, walkways and rest areas, making it an all-inclusive leisure spot.
EM Najeeb, Senior Vice-President, IATO; Adv. D. Suresh Kumar, President, District Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram; M.V. Manmohan, President, Block Panchayath, Athiyannoor; R.S. Sreekumar, President, Grama Panchayath, Venganoor; and Rameshan Paleri, Chairman, ULCCS Ltd., were also present.