Meet real winner of 'vadamvali' events of Onam in Kozhikode
Demand for their ropes peaks during the first week of August as local clubs and community organisations start planning their Onam events. From that point, the phone lines do not stop ringing until January.
Demand for their ropes peaks during the first week of August as local clubs and community organisations start planning their Onam events. From that point, the phone lines do not stop ringing until January.
Demand for their ropes peaks during the first week of August as local clubs and community organisations start planning their Onam events. From that point, the phone lines do not stop ringing until January.
When Onam season arrives in Kerala, the collective adrenaline of the state finds its peak in the muddy arenas of 'vadamvali' or tug-of-war. But behind the straining muscles, digging heels, and roaring crowds lies a single man from Kozhikode whose craftsmanship binds them all together. If you ask anyone in the Malabar region who the undisputed kingmaker of tug-of-war is, the answer is unanimous - Thekayil Rameshan.
Operating out of Cherukulam on the Badiroor-Mukkamkadavu Road, Rameshan, his son Jashil, and a dedicated team of about ten workers are responsible for manufacturing nearly 80 per cent of the tug-of-war ropes sold during the festive Onam season. Rameshan has been leading this specialized cottage industry for over 20 years, earning a formidable reputation across the state.
From coconut coir to contest-ready ropes
The journey of crafting these heavy-duty ropes starts with turning raw coconut fibre into fine coir yarn. Once this primary material is spun and ready, the actual rope-making process is remarkably swift. With decades of experience under their belts, Rameshan's team can put together a customized, high-strength tug-of-war rope within an hour of receiving an order.
Demand for their ropes peaks during the first week of August as local clubs and community organisations start planning their Onam events. From that point, the phone lines do not stop ringing until January. Even during the peak of the festival, Rameshan and his team can be found working from dawn to dusk to meet urgent orders for ongoing tournaments across the region.
A footprint that spans the globe
Rameshan's ropes are not just a local favourite; they are the gold standard across all 14 districts of Kerala. Beyond state lines, his products are regularly shipped to major cities like Bengaluru and Chennai. "Wherever there are Malayali associations hosting Onam celebrations in other states, my ropes are almost always there," Rameshan says with a proud smile.
The fame of these Cherukulam ropes has even reached the Gulf countries, prompting numerous international inquiries. While Rameshan avoids direct export due to high shipping rates and complex logistics, expatriate Malayalis visiting home often make a pit stop at his workshop to personally purchase his hand-spun ropes and carry them back to the Middle East. For these expatriates, a slice of home—and the perfect game of vadamvali—is incomplete without the strength of Rameshan’s craft.