D’source 1
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
D’source 2
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Introduction
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut Alleppy located in Kerala is well known as the land of coconuts. Traditionally, crafting objects out of coconut
by shell to make household objects was practiced by coconut farmers. They would scoop out the copra by making
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William a precise hole at the top of the Shell. The art of making useful products from coconut shell is practiced in Allep-
py. The proficient craftsmen in Kerala are from ‘Vishwakarma community. The fascinating handmade designs of
NID, Bengaluru
coconut shell products are very well recognized all over the world. Coconut shell has been used to make bowls or
serving-spoons by cutting, smoothening and carving the coconut shells. The products made of coconut are bowls,
vases, teapots, ice-cream cups, pen stand, lampshade, etc.
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/intro-
duction
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products The design markings are made on the coconut log. The husk on the coconut shell is removed by using sand-
8. Links er disc.
9. Contact Details
D’source 3
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/intro-
duction
The outer surface of the coconut shell is being polished. The wooden log is placed on the lathe machine for
initial carving.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
Beautifully carved pillars are kept for further works to The soap dish is made of coconut shell.
be done in order to achieve better designs.
D’source 4
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/intro-
duction
The shell is coated with wax and it is polished for shine. Ladles made out of coconut shell.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
The raw coconut shell is refined and smoothened. The carved pillars are transported to give the finishing
touch.
D’source 5
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/intro-
duction
The closer perspective of the interior coconut-wood works in
1. Introduction the local houses.
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
The beautiful traditional houses of Kerala have.
D’source 6
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut Few basic tools used for making the products from coconut shells are flat files, rounded files and triangular
by files. Triangular files are used to shape the coconut shell. Hack-saw and bow blades are used to cut the shell and
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William Chisels are used to carve the unwanted portions. The surface of the article is smoothened by rubbing with sand
paper. Verniercaliper is used to measure the inner and outer dimensions of the article during the making process.
NID, Bengaluru
Currently, more refined tools are being used. Earlier hand lathes were used and currently machine lathes are
used, thus greatly enlarging the scope of coconut craft. The machine drill has made precision drilling potential,
thus enabling a perfect and well-finished product.
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/shell-
tools-and-raw-materials
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products A multipurpose machine used for buffering and sanding. The artisan is fitting the buffing components to the
8. Links machine.
9. Contact Details
D’source 7
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/shell-
tools-and-raw-materials
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links Tool used to remove the coconut husk. The sand disc helps in removing the husk from the coco-
nut shell.
9. Contact Details
D’source 8
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/shell-
tools-and-raw-materials
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links Another type of sanding machine used to smoothen the A buffing machine helps to smoothen the surface of the
shell surface. coconut shell.
9. Contact Details
D’source 9
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/shell-
tools-and-raw-materials
The brush helps in cleaning the inner part of the shell.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
Different type of tools and instruments used for making coco-
nut shell product.
D’source 10
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut There are few basic tools which are used in coconut wood crafts- flat files, rounded files and triangular files are
by used to shape the material. Hack-saw and bow-blades are used to cut the shell and Chisels are used to carve the
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William unwanted portions. The surface of the article is smoothened by rubbing with sand paper. Vernier caliper is used
to measure the inner and outer dimensions of the article during making process.
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-tools-and-raw-materials
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process The lathe machine is used for wood carving/smoothen- The log of coconut wood is laid on the lathe for carving.
6. Shell-Products ing purpose.
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
D’source 11
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-tools-and-raw-materials
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links The motorised lathe. The saw machine is used to cut coconut-wood.
9. Contact Details
D’source 12
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-tools-and-raw-materials
The divider is used for measuring diameter of the wood.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links A combination of two tools - filer and chisel is used for
9. Contact Details carving the wood.
A combination of tools used for carving the wood.
D’source 13
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Shell-Making Process
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut The making process involves various steps. The ripe/matured coconuts are collected which are grown in and
by around firms or sometimes coconuts are purchased from the farmers. The skilled artisan selects the proper well
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William shaped coconut shell according to the required pattern of the article to be carved. The collected coconuts are
scraped out and the surface of the shell is cleaned to make it smooth. The shell is then cut into desired shape
NID, Bengaluru
and size of the article to be prepared. The stencils are made and the shape is cut out with the help of bow blades.
Once the shape is cut, the edges are smoothened by filing process. This process is done repeatedly until the finish
is adequate. Drilling is done to make the small holes if required and then the different parts are made separately
and stick using strong adhesive fevikwik/fevicol. Then the article is carved and designs are engraved. Finally the
polishing is done using bee-wax and it is coated with synthetic varnish to create the glossy texture. The finished
product is dried under the sunlight.
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
shell-making-process
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
The artisan is working with the sanderdisc. The husk on the coconut shell is removed using sander
disc.
D’source 14
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
shell-making-process
Refining and polishing of the coconut shell continues. While smoothening, much care is taken to avoid dam-
age to surface of the coconut shell.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
The inner surface of the shell is smoothened using an- The circular sandering machine is used to create the
other buffing attachment. curvatures.
D’source 15
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
shell-making-process
The shell is cut with a saw machine to give desired The Buffing machine is used to polish the shell.
shape to it.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
After repeated smoothening by the sander machine the Ice-cream bowl beautifully carved out of coconut shell.
coconut shell gets a glossy finish.
D’source 16
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Wood-Making Process
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut Coconut wood logs and pieces are kept in water tanks or ponds for soaking. : Proper water and Chemical treat-
by ment strengthen the wood and increase its durability. Size of the water tanks vary. Length of a typical water tank
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William is around 15 feet and depth is around 2.5 feet to 3 feet. The width varies between 3 to 8 feet. Based on the nature
of the product and its requirement the duration of water treatment is decided. Small tadpole size fishes are kept
NID, Bengaluru
in the water tank to provide a protection from mosquitoes. Tanks are cleaned once or twice a month.
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-making-process
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details Logs are set on a turning machine. Turning machine rotates the log for smoothening of the
outer surface.
D’source 17
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-making-process
After carving and polishing work is completed coco- Coconut-wood logs soaked in tanks or ponds for 3 to 30
nut-wood logs transported for getting water treatment. days – based on the nature of the product.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
The pillars are arranged for further refinement. The log is marked at the center and cut in to two parts
using a saw machine.
D’source 18
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-making-process
The mixture of Diesel, Chlorosulphate, Pesticide and Chemical pesticide is applied on the outer surface of the
Classic-20 applied to the inner surface using brush for pillar to keep termites away.
chemical treatment.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
The pillar is kept for drying. Continuous refinement and polishing happens till the
product gets satisfactory look and feel.
D’source 19
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Shell-Products
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut Coconuts are a remarkable renewable resource with constituents that have many unique and superior proper-
by ties.Over a period of time this craft has grown popular from merely producing decorative items to producing
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William many contemporary lifestyle products and furniture. These products can be used for domestic purposes as well
as kept for decorations. Pillars, utility items like soap dish, ladles, spoons, forks, Agarbathi stands, pen stands,
NID, Bengaluru
grain measurement vessel, cups, teapots, wine jars, plates, artifacts etc. are made of coconut shell. All these
products are natural and eco-friendly. The coconut shell also has exceptional properties, which possesses twice
the density of hardwood and is also very rich in energy. The hardness of the coconut shell is comparable to lower
strength aluminium alloys, making it one of the hardest organic materials produced in nature.Hence, theproducts
made from coconut shells are durable, natural, easily available and reusable.
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
shell-products
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details A variety of spoons made by combining coconut shell Eco-friendly cutlery.
and coconut wood.
D’source 20
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
shell-products
Larger spoons made by using the coconut shell and Traditional puttu (Kerala dish) maker of Kerala.
coconut wood.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
An eco-friendly soap dish. Pen stand made out of coconut shell.
D’source 21
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
shell-products
Ice-cream bowl and spoon made of coconut shell.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
Fancy key chains made of coconut shell.
D’source 22
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Wood-Products
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut Every part of the coconut tree is used to craft valuable objects, which can be made into variouscommercial and
by industrial products. The chief coconut productsinclude - copra, toddy, leaves, brooms, baskets and mats, oil, desic-
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William cated coconut, coconut cream, coconut shell, shell flour, shell charcoal, activated carbon, charcoal briquettes, coir
fibre, coir dust, and fresh coconut juice.The coconut wood is mainly used for decorating theinteriors and exteriors
NID, Bengaluru
with pillars, window frames, door frames, wood panelling etc. Most of the houses in Kerala are built with coconut
wood. These woods are even used for making artefactsand house-hold items. Gradually, the step/ladder railings
and other furniture are also made from coconut wood.
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-products
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links Wooden cutleries made out of coconut wood. Varieties of ladles and spoons prepared from coconut
wood and coconut shell.
9. Contact Details
D’source 23
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-products
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links Trendy furniture made with coconut wood. Miniature decorative showpieces carved from coconut
9. Contact Details wood.
D’source 24
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-products
Different types of incense-stick stands and pen holder made of
1. Introduction coconut wood.
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
Decorative artefacts made out of coconut wood.
D’source 25
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru
Source:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/
wood-products
A house decorated with beautifully carved pillars and
wood panelling made from coconut wood.
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links The interiors of the house decorated with with designs
9. Contact Details and products made of coconut wood.
D’source 26
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Links
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
by • Craft Design in India(http://www.designinindia.net/everywhere/disciplines/craft-design/index.html)
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
• Online Infomation Centre for Crafts(http://www.india-crafts.com/)
NID, Bengaluru
• Handmade in India(http://www.cohands.in/handmadepages/book0.asphttp://www.cohands.in/handmadepag-
es/book0.asp)
• Crafts Council of India(http://www.craftscouncilofindia.org/)
Source: • Craft Mark(http://www.aiacaonline.org/)
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/links
• Arts and Crafts - Handicrafts and Handlooms(http://www.orissa-tourism.com/handi1.htm)
1. Introduction
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process
5. Wood-Making Process
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
D’source 27
Digital Learning Environment for Design - www.dsource.in
Design Resource Contact Details
Coconut Shell, Kerala
The Art of Crafting Coconut
This documentation was done by Professor Bibhudutta
by
Baral and Mr. Antony William at NID, Bengaluru.
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Mr. Antony William
NID, Bengaluru You can get in touch with Professor Bibhudutta Baral at
bibhudutta[at]nid.edu.
You could write to the following address regarding sug-
gestions and clarifications:
Source: Helpdesk Details:
http://dsource.in/resource/coconut-shell-kerala/con- Co-ordinator
tact-details Project e-kalpa
R & D Campus
National Institute of Design
1. Introduction #12 HMT Link Road, Off Tumkur Road
Bengaluru 560 022
2. Shell-Tools And Raw Materials India.
3. Wood-Tools And Raw Materials
4. Shell-Making Process Phone: +91 80 2357 9054
Fax: +91 80 23373086
5. Wood-Making Process Email: dsource.in[at]gmail.com
6. Shell-Products
7. Wood-Products
8. Links
9. Contact Details
