What is Beypore Uru?

timer
1 min read
What is Beypore Uru? Blog Image

Overview:

The District Tourism Promotion Council, Kozhikode has applied for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the famous Beypore Uru (boat).

About Beypore Uru:

  • It is a wooden dhow (ship / sailing boat / sailing vessel) handcrafted by skilled artisans and carpenters in Beypore, Kerala.
  • It is mainly made of Malabar teak, probably the biggest handicraft in the world.
  • Beypore urus are purely made of wood, without using any modern techniques, and traditional methods are used to launch this ship into the water.
  • The carpenters manually join each piece of wood to build the large boat.
  • Uru making in Beypore is a centuries old tradition that was established since India began its maritime trade with Mesopotamia.
  • Beypore is a town located on the banks of the Chaliyar River.
  • According to records, Uru ships have been in high demand for around 2,000 years.

 

Khalasis:

  • The Khalasis are the traditional artisans responsible for the manufacture of the Uru.
  • They are the ones who launch these urus into the water, setting them ready for travel.
  • Arab traders were especially enamoured of them, and were among the first major patrons of these vessels.
  • It takes at least four years and the effort of over forty Khalasis to build an Uru.

 


Q1) What is a geographical indication?

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

Source: The Hindu