Historical records state that during that time, a palace named the `Panangavil Kottaram' existed at Eravipuram. Eravipuram was also known by the name of Thalai Venad. According to tradition the first Christian presence in this area dates back to 825 with Sabir Easo Muthalay (Persian Christian Merchant based in Quilon) establishing trade with the local people. When the Portuguese came to Quilon the
re was already a small Christian Community in Eravipuram. Eravipuram was knows as “Paymel” in Portuguese records. A thickly populated fishing hamlet, well known for its pristine beach, lagoons and coconut trees.
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Famous for Bobbin lace:
It was the story of Bobbin lace made in Eravipuram near Kollam. Bobbin lace-making (also known as pin lace, pillow lace and sometimes bone lace) is not indigenous; it was brought to the country from Europe. And over a couple of centuries it was assimilated into the culture of certain areas such as Eravipuram, Kanyakumari and Kanamally. Families living in the coastal areas, came most under the influence ofwhatever came by sea, and one of the things they were taught was lace-making. All that, it appears, is in the past tense. People in many of these pockets where lace was traditionally hand made shifted to other lucrative career options. In Eravipuram, for instance, women who for generations were making lace by hand
moved to ‘ice factories (prawn peeling units) and cashew processing factories'. It boils down to simple economics, preserving a tradition is too much of a luxury for these people.Benedicta Safernose, secretary of the Eravipuram Vanitha Co-operative Society (also known as ‘Renda School', ‘renda' is Portuguese for lace) talks about the lace and the women who have been making the lace. Theco-operative was formed in 1969. “The Government looks after us, we have health cards, scholarship for the deserving of our kids and a pension too.” But what is left unsaid is that thereare very few takers for this kind of handmade lace. Getting a buyer is tough because there is the cheaper alternative – mass produced machine made lace.Handmade lace from Eravipuram was exported to countries such as Belgium, Holland, Italy etc…“but now we have no idea why the orders stopped coming. There used to be an ‘agent' in Madras but we don't know what happened…” Benedicta and Stella Joseph belong to families which have
been making lace for generations. Benedicta remembers a convent at Eravipuram where lace making was taught, it is defunct now she says. “My mother, grandmother, aunts, sisters…all of us have been making lace (bobbin),” says Stella, who teaches lace-making. Then there are the others who learnt lace making, so that they can avail themselves of some of the benefits that come with being associated with a co-operative. “Now we have a price list where each of us gets at least Rs. 100 per day,” making a metre of half-inch lace is a day's labour.The lace made, all those years back, was probably sent back to Europe for use in the church. It was used not so much as a trimming as full-fledged cloth. Tablecloths, serviettes, doilies, trimmings, wedding dresses… there are many uses of this lace. The handmade lace, unlike the machine made ones, has the finesse and imperfection only something handmade can boast of. Bobbin lace gets its name from the bobbin (with a handle) that is used to make the lace. There are many kinds of lace, continuous or part and the motifs are distinctly continental. There are around 50 women who are involved in Bobbin lace-making at the Eravipuram Society. Making this lace is tough and strenuous, literally backbreaking. And therefore the wages do not justify the labour that goes into its making. No fresh hands To make Bobbin lace, the motif is drawn on parchment that is placed on a cushion. Thread is worked around small pins that are stuck into the cushion along the lines of design. “It is tough on the back, eyes, neck etc.”
Lace-making by hand is all about skill and experience, “the good and experienced hands are old and tired. And since remuneration is not tempting enough, there are no fresh hands,” says Benedicta. That's not a problem if they get willing ‘students', she continues, the society will train them. Things are looking up now. There are a few orders, says the very optimistic Benedicta. When i was in the age between 3- 5 my grandma always take me to the society,at that time about 80+members were wrkng there,the sound of reella(in malayalam)& the moving hands looks like they are playing a musical instruments,.........
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Location:
Eravipuram town is only 8 km away from Kollam city. Other nearby towns are Kottiyam, Mayyanad, Paravur etc. Eravipuram Railway Station is the nearest railway station.
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Geography:
This place has a long coastal line with Arabian Sea................................................................................................
These are the closest beaches with coordinates to this beach:
Beach information
This beach is located at 8° 51' 22" N x 76° 36' 49" E (Latitude: 8.85616, Longitude: 76.61367)
Kollam Beach (2.2 miles / 3.6 km NW)
Kappil Beach (7.4 miles / 11.8 km SE)
Varakala Beach (10.3 miles / 16.5 km SE)
Shangumugham Beach (33.2 miles / 53.4 km SE)
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State Government Offices:
Eravipuram, Sub Registrar Office
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Education:
Schools in Eravipuram:
Bishop Jerome English Medium Public School
St John's High School, Eravipuram
Govt.HSS,Valathungal
Govt.VHSS,Valathungal
Govt.Primary School,Valathungal
Believer's Church Mahathma Central School
Citadel English Medium School
Good Shepherds Kindergarten Kavalpura
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Landmarks:
Eravipuram Railway Station, Kavalpura. Nirmala Hospital,Kavalpura, Eravipuram. Aalummoodu Siva Kshethram. John's Baptist Church,Eravipuram
OLHC Convent
Lord Krishna Temple
Sree Saravana Temple(Vanchiyil Kovil)
Kalarivathukkal Mahadevar Temple
Valathungal Kavu
Kolloorvila Juma Masjid
ECHS Polyclinic
Chthettinada Sree Durga/Bhadra Devi Kshethram. Chettinada Ambalakkulam, Eravipuram Jn, Eravipuram. Puthennada Sree Durga Devi Kshethram. Puthennada Varuvil Kavu Kshethram. The Beautiful Thaanni.
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Location of Eravipuram:
in Kerala and India
Coordinates 8°52′0″N 76°37′0″
ECoordinates: 8°52′0″N 76°37′0″E
Country India
State Kerala
District(s) Kollam
Nearest city Kollam City (8 km)
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30).................................................................................................
