Till the late 1980s, small-scale, artisanal fishing was prevalent in Thiruvananthapuram. With the advent of mechanized boats and other innovative methods of fishing, indigenous practices were gradually sidelined. Now only a small section of the community engages in artisanal fishing and Thiruvananthapuram is probably the only coastal area in Kerala where it is still practised.
The artisanal fishing community is a treasure house of skills and knowledge. They tell stories of bravery and sing songs as they engage in a gruelling fight against the forces of nature. They rely on the sky and stars for a successful fishing expedition and a safe return to the shore. It is imperative to preserve this rapidly vanishing tradition.
