Paper short abstract:

Keywords:Crafts, markets, tourism, working traditions, division of labour, oikos. Photographing craftspeople in Kerala, when they work in small courtyards, “under acres of sky” as Cat Stevens would say.

Paper long abstract:

In the visuals I will attempt to provide a glimpse of the routines involved in making metal mirrors and plaster of paris icons for ritual purposes. Tourism is often analysed in terms of foreign exchange brought in by local products, and these may be expensive such as the famous Aranmala mirrors, or they may be found commonly, like plaster of paris gods and goddesses in every local bazaar, during festivals. The photographs take the viewers to the workshop and courtyards where these objects are made.