World · South & Central Asia · 9 hrs ago
Malappuram honours two veteran timber sawyers as traditional craft fades
A cultural organisation in Tirunavaya, in Malappuram district of Keralam, has honoured two veteran timber sawyers, Moideenkutty and Mohammedkutty.
Both men, known as Kunhapputty, started the work at age 14, using a long saw operated by two people to turn logs into planks.
Before sawmills and heavy machinery became common, workers cut and moved timber by hand, including on handcarts to railway stations.
The two men worked in many parts of Keralam and prepared timber for buildings, including a college.
As sawmills spread, the traditional work declined, but both men adapted to machinery and still work in separate sawmills.
The honour was part of Re-Echo’s effort to preserve local history and pass it on to younger generations.
The organisation also recognised a collector who has preserved a traditional long saw.
A cultural organisation in Tirunavaya honoured two veteran timber sawyers from Malappuram district for their contribution to a traditional craft that is fading.
Moideenkutty and Mohammedkutty, both known as Kunhapputty, began working as sawyers at age 14.
They used long hand saws to cut timber before machines took over much of the work.
The men adapted to machinery and continue to work in separate sawmills.
The event was part of Re-Echo’s anniversary celebrations and aimed to preserve local history for younger generations.
- Who
- Moideenkutty of Karathur and Mohammedkutty of Thekkan Kuttoor, both known as Kunhapputty, were honoured by Re-Echo.
- What
- The cultural organisation felicitated the two veteran timber sawyers for their contribution to a fading traditional craft.
- When
- October 2026. The article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Tirunavaya in Malappuram district, Keralam.
- Why
- The honour recognised their contribution and aimed to preserve the memory of the vanishing trade and pass local history to younger generations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Moideenkutty and Mohammedkutty began working as timber sawyers.
The traditional occupation declined, and the two men adapted to machinery and continued working in separate sawmills.
Re-Echo honoured the two men as part of its anniversary celebrations in Tirunavaya.
- Honourees
- Moideenkutty of Karathur and Mohammedkutty of Thekkan Kuttoor
- Organisation
- Re-Echo, based at Tirunavaya
- Starting age
- Both began working as timber sawyers at 14
- Early daily pay
- Four annas, equivalent to 25 paise
- Timber transport route
- Handcarts carried timber to Kuttippuram railway station, then railway wagons took it to markets in Chennai
Sources
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