Kannadippaya: Weaving Kerala’s Heritage into Modern Homes

In 2021, Iraaloom ® was selected for the United Nations Development Programme’s United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) UNDP in India Green Innovation Fund. Out of several social impact startups in Kerala, only ten were chosen—and we were proud to be one among them. That cohort played a pivotal role in shaping our journey, especially our work with tribal crafts.

Our first exposure to tribal communities was during a visit to the Idukki district, where we met the Muthuvan tribe. Known for their skilled craftsmanship using reed, it was here that I first encountered a remarkable creation—the Kannadippaya, or “mirror mat.”

So, what is the Mirror Mat (Kannadippaya)?
Kannadippaya is a traditional handwoven mat made by tribal communities across Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Palakkad districts of Kerala. What sets it apart is its material—the soft inner layers of reed bamboo—and its unique weave that gives it a glass-like finish, which is how it earned the name “mirror mat.” Each mat takes weeks to complete and is typically 4 to 6 feet long. Originally used within the tribal households, this intricate craft was largely passed down by elder artisans.

Recently, this exceptional craft received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag—a huge milestone for the artisan communities. The GI tag was granted to Unarvu Pattikavargha Vividodesha Sahakarana Sangam, Venmani, and the Vanasree Bamboo Craft & Vanavibhava Shekarana unit, Moolakkad, Uppukunnu in Idukki—offering both market protection and international recognition to the art form.

When I first saw the mirror mat, I was mesmerized—but also saddened. The younger generation of the community showed little interest in learning this art, and there was a real risk of it fading away. As a designer, I felt the need to act. We started experimenting, trying to convert these mats into smaller, more usable products. Initially, we failed. But persistence paid off when one idea clicked—bookmarks. By transforming small pieces of the mat into elegant, handwoven bookmarks, we found a way to preserve the craft in a form that people could actually use and appreciate in everyday life.

Over time, I’ve continued learning about this art form and tracing its roots. During this journey, I had the pleasure of meeting Manju Vasudevan, founder of @Forest Post and visiting their Adi Hill Gir cluster—a beautiful experience I’ll share in more detail someday.

For now, I’m just incredibly happy and proud that the Kannadippaya has received the GI certification it so rightfully deserves. It’s a tribute to the skilled hands and cultural heritage of our tribal artisans.

You can now find and purchase these unique mirror mat bookmarks on our website—a small piece of a grand tradition, lovingly preserved and reimagined.