Kavasam Metal Sheet Cladding of Tamil Nadu

Kavasam or kavacham in Sanskrit means an armour. These are beaten sheet metal coverings made of brass or silver, that can sometimes be covered with gold leaves. These armours are custom made for specific idols. The sheet is first embossed with intricate patterns and details and then embedded in lac. This process is carried out in Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari. The finished kavasams are sent to Madurai for gold layering, or to Vadaserry for gold plating.

The tools used are hammers and several types of chisels.

The types of products made are kavasam/claddings, vohanam/mount for the deities, and dvaja stambha/flag poles.

The production clusters are Nagercoil in Kanniyakumari district, Madurai in Madurai district, Swamimalai in Thanjavur district, and Mamallapuram in Kanchipuram district.