KOCHI: The heritage ship under the Muziris project might get to set sail in a year with the project on the brink of starting soon. At a review meeting of the Muziris project held at Kodungallur, it was decided that the construction of the ship would be completed in March 2012 in conjunction with the first phase of the Muziris project. The work of the heritage Ship, built on the model of the ancient ‘Payakappal,’ had been on hold since March owing to lack of funds. The work was originally slated to be completed in March 2011.“We have sanctioned an additional Rs 15 lakhs for the ship. We are preparing a proposal for another Rs 25 lakhs,” said Minister for Tourism A P Anil Kumar. The ship with a capacity of 30 passengers will take tourists between Fort Kochi and the Muziris site in Kodungaloor. The ship is being built at the ship building site in Beypore. Payakappal, an ancient wooden sail vessel, was used 2000 years ago by traders who came to Kerala in search of spices. “The idea is that once completed, the ship would be able to take people from Fort Kochi to the Muziris area, giving all a feel of history,” says U V Jose, Additional Director (In Charge), Department of Tourism.These ships were made 2000 years back in Beypore, even then a renowned ship building centre. The traditional artisans and workmen who made these ships passed on the craft through the generations. The present ship is being constructed by Andy Kutty, one of the few remaining traditional craftsmen from Beypore, a master craftsmen who has constructed more than a 1000 ships in his lifetime. “With this heritage project we are aiming to promote and preserve the traditional craftsmanship and ship-building culture in Beypore. We had begun two courses on heritage ship building along with this project, but was discontinued after the first batch. If revived, it will be a big leap in preserving the traditional knowledge of artisans in Beypore,” said historian and former Director General of the Centre for Heritage Studies which undertook the project.Apart from the ship building courses, the break in the release of funds has created other complications too. “After the work on the ship came to a halt, most of the artisans have gone in search of better opportunities. It is quite a huge task to bring them all back now,” says a senior official involved with the project.
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