Charmingly set between Western ghats,the blue waters of the Arabian sea and bed decked with sylvan splendour of monsoons, Kerala is a lovely country of sparkling streams , shimmering back waters and cluster of palm crowned country sides. Though Kerala with a geographical area of 38864 sq.km is one of the smallest Indian States, it has unique place in the literacy map of India.. The highly intelligent and gifted craftsmen of the State with their imagination and skilled workmanship adopt special types of designs , forms and colours evolved slowly through the disciplined efforts of generations of craftsmen , which has generated appreciation among the aesthetic people at home and abroad. There are more than 32 major crafts in the State such as carvings and inlay in wood ,horn,sea shell and coconut shell;mat weaving from fibres and bamboo reeds , koragrass, screw pine , palm banana, casting of bell metal , lapidory work, hand embrodiery, cane and rattan work, utility and decorative items made out of coconut tree, straw picture, papier machie, paper craft etc etc are the most important. The Kerala State Handicrafts Apex co.op Society is sponsored by the Government of Kerala for the development of handicrfts industry through the Co-operative sector and it started functioning during 1964. The main object of the Society is to market the products of the Primary Cooperatives in the State. The following kinds of works , classified according to the materials by which they are made of , will be recognized by the viewer as he gradually overcomes the initial impact of an overwhelming blaze of colour coupled with an apparently endless variety of forms and textures. You are cordially welcome to the treasure trove of the handicrafts of Kerala.