Design Resource
Wood Carving - Kerala
The Wooden Craft
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baraland Antony William
Machines and Tools
The tools are made locally by the blacksmith called Kollan. Most of the tools used are called “Ullies” (chisel). The big chisel is called ‘ChuruttuUlli’ and the small chisel is called ‘KochChuruttuUlli’. Other tools used are:
• VattaVathala - Another variety of chisel.
• KuttuVadhi - Hammer.
• KeetUlli - Small tool used to carve the minute/fine detailing on the wood.
The wood used for carving is white wood, locally called Khumir or Khumal. It’s a rare tree, popularly found only in Kerala and in the border of Karnataka. In general, the wood found in Kerala is soft comparatively, durable and easy to carve.
