History Of The Aranmula Kannadi

Aranmula Kannadi is a type of metal mirror that is made in the village of Aranmula, in the state of Kerala, India.

It is believed to be the oldest metal mirror in the world, and is made using a traditional method that has been passed down through generations known only to a few artisans in the town of Aranmula.

Kerala tourism has declared Aranmula a heritage village. Here, a group of skilled metal-casting artisans craft these unique metal mirrors using techniques passed down over 500 years.

The crafting process of these mirrors is an ancient craft that is closely guarded and passed down from generation to generation.

Surprisingly, not too long ago, the craft was going unrecognised but is now starting to see a slow revival in recent years.

Due to showcasing the mirrors at craft fairs and online demand, it is slowly becoming more recognised globally as a unique and beautiful item for households.

Aranmula Kannadi vs Normal Mirror

The speciality of the Aranmula Kannadi is not just its craft.

It is unique because it is a metal mirror that is front-reflecting.

This makes it different from regular plane glass mirrors, where reflection takes place from the back surface of the glass.

In plane mirrors, you get a distorted image due to the light travelling through the glass and back, becoming refracted.

Coating on a typical plane mirror will also increase distortion, which you also see most commonly in smaller mirrors or bathroom mirrors.

This is why your typical household mirror will look different depending on size, quality and placement.

With the Aranmula mirror, because of its unique combination of metals and hand polishing, the reflection takes place on the front surface.

This eliminates any secondary reflections and distortion giving a pure and almost perfect reflection with no distortion.

This mirror is said by many to be able to reflect a person's true self.

How Is The Aranmula Kannadi Made?

Creating the Aranmula Kannadi is a green and environmentally friendly process.

The material used is eco-friendly and obtained locally, and most of the materials is reused leaving almost minimal waste.

The making of the Aranmula Kannadi is a highly skilled and labor-intensive process.

First, a metal alloy is created using a secret mix known only to few craftsmen.

This alloy is then formed into a concave mirror shape and polished to a high shine.

Due to the need for the perfect and smooth reflection on each mirror, each Aranmula Mirror is hand polished and refined with 2-3 days spent purely just polishing the mirror to achieve the perfect smooth finish and clear reflection.

One craftsman can only make around 10-15 mirrors each month.

Where To Get An Original Aranmula Kannadi?

Aranmula Kannadi is very popular, but unfortunately, there are a lot of replicas on the market.

In 2005, the Indian Government granted exclusive rights for Aranmula Kannadi mirrors to only be produced in Aranmula.

So if your Aranmula Kannadi comes with a hologram sticker and a certificate of authenticity, you know it has been handmade by an exclusive Aranmula Kannada maker.

The authentic hologram sticker can be found on the back of the Aranmula Kannadi or on the inside of the box.

Some also say to test an Aranmula metal Mirror, you just touch or place your finger or an object very close to the reflecting side of the mirror.

In the Aranmula Metal Mirror, the reflection and reflecting surface are very close as they occur on the top side.

With metal alloy or your typical glass mirrors, the reflections are kept at a distance of at least the thickness of the glass as the reflection occurs on the rear side of the mirror.

Here at Mytri Designs, we sell original Aranmula Kannadi mirrors directly from the artisans so we can guarantee each one is authentic.

When looking for an Aranmula Kannadi you will usually find 3 types of Aranmula Kannadi.
Fixed stand.
Back stand.
Hand mirror.

Where To Keep Aranmula Kannadi At Home?

Many people believe keeping an Aranmula Kannadi in the house brings great luck to the owner.

And still today, for this reason, it is given as a gift during weddings, Diwali, and housewarming ceremonies.

But people often ask, where is the best place to keep Aranmula Kannadi in the home?

The Aranmula Kannadi can be placed anywhere in the home such as your living room, bedroom, or dining room.

Where possible it is best to keep the Aranmula Kannadi in an east facing direction as the mirror reflects light as the sun rises and gives off positive energy to start each day.

How To Clean The Aranmula Kannadi?

It’s quite easy for the Aranmula Kannadi to pick up dust or fingerprints.

Especially with the reflective shine it can get noticeably dirty very quickly.
This can be cleaned off quite easily using brand-name brass cleaners such as Brasso or Day & Martins' metal polish.

Apply a few drops, then rub it with a cotton or velvet cloth smoothly on the surface in a vertical motion.

You can also use a natural coconut oil if you want a natural solution for cleaning your Aranmula Kannadi and aren’t comfortable using chemicals in your home.

Aranmula Kannadi Price

The cost of an Aranmula Kannadi can vary dependant on the style, size, and where you are purchasing from.

Aranmula Kannadi price in Kerala can start around £50 if you are buying a smaller design directly from an artisan market.

Some Aranmula Kannadis can sell for upwards of £1000.

Our collection of authentic Aranmula Kannadi mirrors in our online store start from £100, and each one comes with a certificate of authenticity and hologram sticker directly from the artisans.

Discover our range of Aranmula Kannadi mirrors and see what exactly makes them so sought after and unique.