From Coconut Leaf Ribs to Glory: Kerala Crafts Its Own World Cup
28-Foot trophy lights up Ananganmala nights
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As football World Cup fever sweeps through Kerala, fans are unleashing their creativity to show their love for the game. From massive cutouts of iconic players Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar rising from the backwaters, foothills of the Western Ghats, and every corner of towns and cities, to eye-catching artworks, the excitement is everywhere. Among them, Poovathodi Mohandas, a woodcarver from Kochi, has crafted a replica of the World Cup trophy using coconut leaf ribs and cardboard. While he has created many artworks with coconut leaf ribs before, this one holds a special place.
The contagious football fever caught hold of him, fueled by the infectious atmosphere in the state. Few have ever done anything related to the soccer World Cup using coconut leaf ribs. So he decided to give it a try. It took the artist two weeks to craft the trophy, dedicating a couple of hours each evening after work to shape the piece. “The work was satisfying, and I felt very happy after completing it,” says Mohandas. In Kerala, coconut leaf ribs, also known as midribs, are commonly used in ways such as making brooms, paper, and even strong fibres.
Giant trophy
About 130 km from Kochi, a spectacular artwork is drawing football fans—a massive replica of the Soccer World Cup trophy standing proudly near Ananganmala mountain. The model, crafted from sheet metal and foam sheet by Yassir, a passionate football fan from Panamanna, stands 28 feet tall, reaching about 30 feet with its base. Crowds are flocking to see this impressive creation, and at night, the sight is truly mesmerising as the trophy gleams under special lighting.
Festive atmosphere
From Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam to Idukki, towns and villages are decked out with flags, festoons, posters, and giant cutouts of football heroes. Fans are going wild for their superstars, with massive cutouts of Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar popping up everywhere. Many have painted their homes in Argentine and Brazilian colours, while streets, junctions, and stadiums feature giant screens broadcasting live matches of their favourite teams. The crowds gathering to watch often rival, if not exceed, the number of spectators inside the stadiums.
