In the vibrant village of Thovalai, located in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari district, artisans continue to preserve the centuries-old craft of creating Thovalai Maanikka Maalai, a floral garland renowned for its gemstone-like appearance. Recently highlighted for its cultural significance, this intricate art form, which secured a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in April 2025, is celebrated for its unique folding technique that transforms flowers into sparkling, ruby-like designs.
The craft, pioneered by Palani Pandaram over 150 years ago, uses oleander flowers and chamba fibre, a local grass, to create garlands that resemble woven mats. Artisan M.T. Vanitha Sree, a fifth-generation practitioner, leads the charge in preserving this tradition. Despite her B.Tech and MBA degrees, Vanitha remains dedicated to crafting these garlands daily for the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, a tradition spanning 146 years. “The Maanikka Maalai is not just a garland; it’s an art form requiring patience and precision,” she says, emphasizing the geometric alignment of flowers in rows of five, seven, or up to 20 for special occasions.
The garland’s fame reached global attention in 2019 when Vanitha showcased it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mamallapuram. Now, with the GI tag, the craft is gaining further recognition, boosting local artisans’ livelihoods and attracting interest from across India and beyond. Vanitha also teaches the technique to local women and has traveled to Rajasthan and Kolkata to share her expertise, ensuring the craft’s survival. “This art deserves to be taught in colleges, like sculpture or painting,” she advocates.
Thovalai, a hub for floriculture, supplies flowers to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with its market bustling from 4 a.m. The Maanikka Maalai, often adorned with red and white oleander and nochi leaves, remains a symbol of cultural heritage, connecting artisans to their ancestral roots while captivating modern audiences with its timeless beauty.