Snapshot

• Why Aranmula Kannadi is iconic: The Aranmula metal mirror (locally called Kannadi) is a GI-certified craft exclusive to Aranmula village in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. Unlike conventional glass mirrors, Aranmula mirrors are handmade from a secret metal alloy that gives a crystal-clear, distortion-free reflection.
  
• Cultural legacy: Believed to be over 500 years old, this mirror is part of Kerala temple traditions and is considered an auspicious gift in weddings and festivals.
  
• Global positioning: Aranmula mirrors are luxury décor items and collectibles, valued for their spiritual significance, artisan exclusivity, and GI authenticity.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Traditional Mirrors	Round/oval mirrors with brass, bronze, or wooden frames.
Contemporary Frames	Mirrors in rosewood, teak, and copper inlay frames.
Temple-Style Décor	Ornamental frames with carvings of elephants, lotus, and temple motifs.
Luxury Gifts	Miniature collectible mirrors, wedding return gifts, heritage souvenirs.
Custom Projects	Corporate gifts, museum-grade décor, and personalized engravings.\

Craft Technique

Step	Details
Alloy Preparation	The reflective surface is made of a secret copper-tin alloy (recipe known only to a few artisan families).
Casting & Grinding	Alloy discs are cast and meticulously ground and polished entirely by hand to create distortion-free reflection.
Frame Crafting	Frames made of brass, bronze, or wood are hand-carved and polished.
Final Polishing	A labor-intensive process taking several days to achieve a glass-like clarity without any mercury or silver coating.
Signature Feature	The mirror reflects true-to-life images without any refraction, unlike glass mirrors.

Materials & Sustainability

• Base Material: Copper-tin alloy (100% metal; no glass used).
  
• Frame Materials: Brass, bronze, or sustainably sourced teak/rosewood.
  
• Eco Advantage:
  
  • Entirely handcrafted with no chemical coating.
    
  • Generational craft preserved by fewer than 20 artisan families.
    
• Cultural Value: Considered a symbol of prosperity; part of Kerala’s intangible cultural heritage.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Geographical Hub: Aranmula village, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.
  
• Artisan Families: Only a handful of Viswakarma family lineages know the alloy’s secret formula.
  
• Institutional Support:
  
  • GI Certification (2004): Protects authenticity and origin.
    
  • Kerala State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC): Supports marketing and exhibitions.
    
  • Kerala Tourism: Promotes Aranmula mirrors as a heritage attraction.
    
• Market Access: Sold through craft emporiums, luxury boutiques, and global exhibitions.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• GI Tag: “Aranmula Kannadi” registered under the Geographical Indications Act, 2004.
  
• Handicraft Certification: KSHDC-certified authenticity seals.
  
• Limited Production Certification: Each mirror carries a unique serial number and authenticity certificate.
  
• Fair-Trade Practices: Artisan cooperatives ensure equitable pay.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Miniature Mirrors (3–5 inches)	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	10–25 pcs/style
Medium Mirrors (6–10 inches)	2 weeks	6–8 weeks	5–10 pcs/style
Large/Custom Mirrors	3–4 weeks	8–10 weeks	Made-to-order

Branding & Packaging

• Branding:
  
  • GI hologram stickers, artisan certificate, and product serial number.
    
  • Story cards explaining craft lineage and spiritual symbolism.
    
• Packaging:
  
  • Mirrors packed in velvet-lined wooden boxes.
    
  • Moisture-absorbent packing for overseas shipping.
    
  • Premium handcrafted cases for heritage collectors.
    
• Narrative Marketing: Promoted as a “luxury collectible with centuries-old tradition” and an auspicious heirloom.
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Optical Testing: Every mirror is hand-polished and checked for 100% distortion-free clarity.
  
• Alloy Certification: Verified by KSHDC for composition accuracy.
  
• Frame Integrity: Polishing, finish quality, and joinery checked.
  
• Export Packaging QC: Shockproof and moisture-controlled packaging tests.
  

Price Drivers

• Size of the mirror (polishing effort increases exponentially with size).
  
• Complexity of frame carving and material (wood vs brass vs bronze).
  
• Limited artisan production and GI exclusivity.
  
• Certification and premium branding for global markets.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• GI Certification: Guarantees authenticity and protects from imitations.
  
• Exclusivity: Crafted by fewer than 20 artisan families in the world.
  
• Cultural Story: Deeply linked to Kerala’s temple traditions and wedding rituals.
  
• Luxury Positioning: Already featured in museums, heritage boutiques, and global craft fairs as a collectible.