Thovalai’s traditional ‘Manikka Malai’ secures GI tag

Thovalai's 'Manikka Malai' floral craft receives prestigious GI tag after six generations of traditional craftsmanship.

Adding to the list of Geographical Indication (GI) tag products from Kanniyakumri district, Thovalai’s ‘Manikka Malai’, (garland of rubies) a unique floral craft from the region, has now received the prestigious recognition.

Almost after three years of submitting an application for the GI tag, the six-generation old craftsmanship has secured the tag accorded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The garland is traditionally made using red and white Oleander flowers and Chamba fibre (chamba naar), which is a common long grass variety found along the waterbodies. The green portion of the garland is usually made with Chaste tree (Nochi) leaves. The flowers used in this garland are particularly positioned in a way that when folded they look like gems.

The Thovalai Manikka Malai Handicraft Artist Welfare Association currently comprises around 50 families engaged in this traditional craft. The descendants of the family that originally invented this technique continue to practice and conduct workshops in schools to teach the art of garland making.

The technique is said to have been invented by Palani Pandaram, from Thovalai, about 150 to 180 years ago. Today the sixth generation continues his legacy. Among them is M. T. Vanithasree, who expressed her joy at the garland receiving the GI tag. Notably, she was also one among the craftsmen who showcased their talent to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narandra Modi during the informal summit held between the leaders in October 2019.

Despite holding a MBA degree, Ms. Vanithasree chose to pursue her family’s traditional business. She says, “the ‘Manikka Malai’ has been appreciated since the reign of Travancore Kings. Since then we are sending the garland annually for the 10-day festival of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.”

Explaining the manpower involved in the process she noted, “Usually the length of the garland is measured in “Pagalam” (a traditional unit) which is always in odd numbers. The maximum length goes up to 11 pagalam taking up to a day for crafting it.” She further recalled that her grandfather L. Madaswami Pandaram won an award from Government of India’s Ministry of Textiles for making Manikka Malai during the year 1988.