Period of Origin: Over 1500 years — ancient Arabian Sea trade
Artisan Community: Hereditary Uru Boat Builders of Beypore
GI Category: Handicraft
Beypore, an ancient port town on the banks of Chaliyar River, was once a legendary maritime hub for traders, dating all the way back to the 1st Century A.D (2000 Years), i.e. since the beginning of India’s maritime trade with Mesopotamia.
Origin When traders from around the world, first came to the Northern shores of Kerala for trading, they were amazed by the extraordinary skill of the local carpenters in Uru making, as well as by the abundance of the highest quality carpenter-friendly teak wood. “The traders were also overly impressed by these sea-worthy ships because they proved to be safe, reliable, and strong against the rough sea during the frequent journeys back and forth from their homes far away. Eventually, Beypore Uru making flourished as a result of the secured market from the traders of the Middle East
The Place Beypore, an ancient port town on the banks of Chaliyar River, was once a legendary maritime hub for traders, dating all the way back to the 1st Century A.D (2000 Years)., i.e. since the beginning of India’s maritime trade with Mesopotamia. The ships built at Beypore, were strong angainst rough Sea and were most safe and reliable, attracting traders from across the world.
Beypore Uru Boat Uniqueness
It takes a group of 50 men, 1 to 4 years to build a Functional Uru.
Uru’s are the World’s Largest Handicrafts (upto 280 feet).
Urus are purely made of Premium Wood.
Odayis & Khalasis are two communities involved in Uru Making.
Possess Excellent Reverberation Properties.
By the Craftsmen of Sarwasiddi Community.
A well guarded Secret The Art of Uru making is passed down through generations and is an undocumented practice. There are no build plans, sketches, drawings, or blueprints that the makers refer to. From conception to completion, it is all in the mind of the master carpenter of a yard, who assigns work to his assistants on a daily basis, so as to keep the entire proces a secret.
Beypore Uru has been applied for Geographical Indications (GI) Status in 2024 with the GI Application Number 1025.
