A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration (city/town/few adjacent villages and their adjoining areas)of units producing near similar products and facing common opportunities and threats. An artisan cluster is defined as geographically concentrated (mostly in villages/townships) household units producing handicraft/handloom products. In a typical cluster, such producers often belong to a traditional community, producing the long-established products for generations. Indeed, many artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Anavoor Cluster:-

Anavoor Cluster falls under Kerala  State in Thiruvanantha Puram district.

The Anavoor cluster is able to form 217 plus Artisans & 18 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilization gains momentum day by day.

Grass, Leaf, Reed and Fiber:-

The trunk of the Banana tree when treated properly gives this fine natural fibre. This craft of Banana fibre is slowly gaining in popularity and is predominantly found in the southern district of Kanyakumari. Natural fibres like sisal, aloe, pineapple and screw pine and also weaved along with this banana fibre.Nowadays wall hangings and mats of different shapes and sizes are also made out of this fibre apart from the traditional table mats and bags. Traditionally the Pattu sari was also made of Banana fibre but it has become obsolete now.

The state of Kerala in south India is a perfect destination for tourism, holidays, health care, yoga, meditation and art & culture. Kerala has a tradition of making beautiful items of handicrafts. Though most crafts in Kerala are also hereditary some amateurs with special interest in art also practice the same. Mat and basket weaving is done at many places in Kerala. All products are painstakingly made by hand. Some of the products include chairs, teapoy, TV. Stand, fans, Tiffin carriers, bamboo shades, bamboo bowls and bamboo-reed table mats.

The articles from tender palm leaves which have their ribs removed and are then dried in the Sun include bags, dinner cases and ornamental hand held folding fans having anything between 37 to 56 blades.The blades are tied together by copper wire through holes on them and sewn together to spread out as a fan.The fans are made attractive in appearance by painting floral motifs on the blades.Palm leaf and stem weaving is a flourishing craft in southern Kerala with bags, hats, and suitcases being made both for the Indian and international markets these days.A reed is a firm-stemmed grass, with a hollow stem that looks like bamboo.It is a sturdy material and reed mats are used as walls for structures and roofs.The reed is first split and shaved before it is woven in a twill weave into mats. They are made starting at one corner and plaiting or weaving is done diagonally.Long strips are folded at the middle and another strip is inserted crosswise, which is in turn folded and the next strip is again inserted crosswise and so on.The creases of the crosswise strips form the edges of the mat.Reeds are also used to make very sturdy baskets.

Raw Materials Used :-

The villages of Tamil Nadu are full of Palm trees, coconut, date and Palmyra. Palm is the major source of raw material for preparing baskets and related products. Other raw materials like bamboo, cane, grasses, fibers and reeds are also used in making baskets, thatch, ropes, mats and many other things.

Process:-

The jute fiber comes from the stem and ribbon (outer skin) of the jute plant. The fibers are first extracted by retting. The retting process consists of bundling jute stems together and immersing them in low, running water. There are two types of retting: stem and ribbon. After the retting process, stripping begins. Women and children usually do this job. In the stripping process, non-fibrous matter is scraped off, then the workers dig in and grab the fibers from within the jute stem.Jute bags are used for making fashion bags & promotional bags. The eco-friendly nature of jute makes its ideal for corporate gifting.

Jute floor coverings consist of woven and tufted and piled carpets. Jute Mats and matting’s with 5/6 mts width and of continuous length are easily being woven in Southern parts of India, in solid and fancy shades, and in different weaves like, Boucle, Panama, Herringbone,etc.Jute Mats & Rugs are made both through Power loom & Handloom, in large volume from Kerala,India. The traditional Satranji mat is becoming very popular in home décor.Jute non-wovens and composites can be used for underlay, linoleum substrate, and more.Thus, jute is the most environment-friendly fibre starting from the seed to expired fibre, as the expired fibres can be recycled more than once.

Techniques:-

The practical course is to introduce modernization of technique and improve the skills and make the worker capable of enhancing his productivity and his earnings so as to enable him to meet at least the basic necessities of life and come out of the clutches of poverty within reasonable time.

How to Reach:-

By Air:-

Thiruvananthapuram has its own airport, named the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Direct flights connect Thiruvananthapuram to major Indian cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi, and those in neighboring countries such as Colombo, Malé, and Singapore.

By Road:-

An excellent network of roads connects Thiruvananthapuram to all major towns and cities in South India, especially to Kollam, Alleppey, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Chennai, Madurai and Pondicherry. The Central Bus station is situated adjacent to the Central Railway Station at Thampanoor.

By Train:-

The main railhead is the Central Railway Station at Thampanoor, which links Thiruvananthapuram to important cities of the state as well as the country.