V. V. Suresh Kumar; Legacy of crafting `nettoor petti'
A land bestowed with backwaters, rivers, and pleasant seas... That's Kerala. But more than that V.V Suresh Kumar is living in Kerala! The jewellery boxes of an epical era, called Nettoor Petti (box) is still flying across the oceans scripting the name V.V. Suresh Kumar. He is none other than the living legend with a tradition in making this wonderful box. He makes these boxes with utmost perfection and scientific precision.

Suresh belongs to a family of craftsmen who have been practising the art of making the nettoor petti in its strictest tradition. There are few artisans in Kerala who still practise this traditional craft. Suresh is the fourth generation craftsman. He was trained by his father, G. Viswanathan Achari, a recipient of the State Award in 1987. Both father and son have given shape to innumerable such boxes that are used to store ornaments.

One of the variations of the nettoor petti, known as Kathakali petti or atta petti, is traditionally used to store Kathakali chamayam. The upper lid of the nettoor petti is shaped like a hut, while that of the Kathakali petti is round-shaped. But nobody knows the story behind the naming of 'Nettoor Box' to this jewellery box. There is no record however, the name probably owes its origin to the `Nettoor Madom' in Palakkad, as a belief.
These boxes made out of rosewood (veeti) and countrywood. After the boxes are made, they are embellished with metals. The design of the ornamentation work on the exterior of the nettoor petti is inspired by the temple architecture of Kerala. The usual  designs are adaptations of the tomb (gopurams) of the temples or the chithrapootu, which is also known as manichithrathazhu. The brightly coloured boxes also feature intricate patterns. Suresh and group draw upon the traditional art of Kerala.

Cheaper models of the nettoor petti have flooded the market, making things difficult for the artisans who adhere to the traditional manner of crafting these boxes. The peculiarity of Nettoor Petti made by Suresh is each and every accessory used for making of this box is handmade. The varieties includes jhoolas with figures of Radha and Krishna, aanakaal petti (`elephant leg bangle box') and utility items such as medicine chests.
Apart from this Suresh has designed the doors of the sanctum sanctorum (srikovil) of temples such as
Vazhvelikonam Devi Kshetram (Vamanapuram), SNDP Vishnu Kshetram (Pallichal) and Murugan Temple  (Chakka, that is his own  home land).

CRAFTMEN WITH GOD'S HANDS

God created the beautiful Kerala as well as the talented craftsmen basically from Viswakarma (literally means Lord Brahma, the creator of all) community. Though making handicrafts is the parentage of Viswakarama community, people from other communities also play their role in this unique field.

Kerala's traditional handicrafts varieties are a class of its own. The artisans of Kerala carves in wood, design in jewellery and makes idols in metal. The gifted artisans makes beautiful idols of Lord Krishna with his beloved Radha in a loving mood, Ganesh, Goddess Saraswathi, Lakshmi etc. in sandal wood ,elephants in rose wood and other art works in varieties of other woods.

The life size models of Kathakali and the models depicting boat race of Kerala are Kerala's own master pieces. The idols of Lord Nataraja in dancing pose and the various lamps (vilakku) which are very essential for every ceremonies of malayalees.

Aranmula kannadi is another traditional art work in bell metal. The artisans of Kerala are at their best in making screwpine woven articles, beautiful lamp shades and other articles from bamboo reeds.

A variety of products ranging from buttons to flower vase out of coconut shell. Kora mats are very popular and is used for prayer and sleep. Articles made out of buffalo horn and kathakali masks, straw pictures etcare some of the popular items of Kerala. Handicrafts based on various kinds of wood, coconut, palm etc. are major attractions.

The State agencies for the development of handicrafts industry include Handicrafts Co-operative Apex Society (SURABHI), Artisans Development Corporation, Bamboo Corporation and Handicrafts Development Corporation.

Handicrafts Heritage Kerala, handicrafts celebration week, is being conducted every year from December 7 to 15.