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Before the
7 th century, the population of Lakshadweep comprised mainly
of the Hindus who were later converted to Islam. This
explains the cultural mingling of art and crafts in
Lakshadweep. Culturally, the people of Lakshadweep resemble
very much with the Keralites. This finds reflection in
Lakshadweep arts and crafts too.
The costume of the Lakshadweep women include embroidered
jacket that reflects the handicraft of Lakshadweep. Folk
ballads singing of the historical past is common during
household occasions and festivities. Themes include the
coming of Hazrat Ubaidullah in Lakshadweep, the ransack of
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the
Portuguese. Kolkali, Dandi, Parichakali, Fuli, Thara,
Bandiya and Lava Dance are famous art forms in practice in
Lakshadweep. Thus, arts and crafts in Lakshadweep are a
colorful conglomeration in a large variety.
The typical topography pf Lakshadweep makes it a treasure
house of shells, corals and oysters. Crafts of Lakshadweep
mainly include items made of these. Other crafts include
those made of coconut shells and tortoise shells. A variety
of handicrafts most of which are used for decorative
purposes and some other for household use reflect the art
and craft in Lakshadweep. The best places to buy them are
beach shops or try any roadside stall. The chunky jewelry
that these colorful people use also bears the mark of the
arts and crafts of the archipelago of Lakshadweep.
The people are very colorful and this gets reflected in
their use of color in every walk of life. Painting their
houses, boats and even furniture are practiced, especially
in Minicoy. In fact, villages in Minicoy have a definite
color for each of them and all houses of that particular
village are in this particular color. Replicas of boats
painted in bright hues are also used for decorating homes.
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