Hyderabad: A century ago, in a quiet village called Uralungal in the Malabar region of Kerala, 14 young people gathered to fight caste discrimination. Inspired by the speech of social reformer Guru Vagbhatananda, they believe that work of justice, dignity and honesty may lead to change. They only had 37 Paisa, which laid the foundation for the Uraluncal Labor Contracts Association (ULCCS) in the 1920s. Today, this little dream has grown into one of the largest workers’ cooperatives in Asia, employing more than 18,000 people.
Rameshan Paleri, chairman of the cooperative since 1995, said the spirit of perseverance remains at the heart of ULCCS. “There was a time when caste discrimination reached its peak. The advice was to bring good opportunities, job opportunities, and, with it, your voice to injustice,” he said. He reflected that ULCC was more than just roads and buildings. It’s about people, art, care, and the opportunity to make everyone live with dignity.
On the sun-drenched coast of Kovalam, Kerala’s Craft Village (KACV) is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, designed and developed by the Kerala government by ULCCS. It is a paradise for craftsmen and pays homage to the traditional craftsmanship of Kerala. The village covers an area of 8.5 acres and houses more than 100 skilled artisans and many studios, each showing the elegance of handlooms, carvings and century-old art forms.
KACV is more than just a mall, it is a cultural movement whose mission eliminates exploitative middlemen and ensures fair wages. “The basic idea of this campus is to promote artisans and eliminate unhealthy marketing practices,” explains Ulccs Pro K. Manoj Kumar. By implementing fixed pricing and commission-free sales, artisans regain their autonomy over art and income.
Organic honey, traditional spices, handmade Vinayaka statues, drums from Kerala and handicrafts from different parts of India have all found space on the shelves. “Every product we choose is based on tradition and quality,” said N. Satheesh Kumar, business development manager at KACV.
KACV is not only a craft, but also a promotion of responsible tourism. Events like the Indonesian Independence Festival globalize their horizons. The Kalaripayattu Academy, led by Meenakshi Gurukal, believes that traditional martial arts remain vibrant through strict teaching.
The village maintains itself through smart business models, leveraging rental income from its auditoriums and restaurants to support its business, proving that cultural conservation can be both community-oriented and sustainable.
Another ULCCS project, hundreds of kilometers away from Iringal Village in Kozhikode district, Kerala, integrates life into traditional skills, Sargaalaya, Sargaalaya, Rural Tourism Program and the national award-winning Kerala Crafts and Crafts Village, sponsored by the Kerala government department, developed and managed by Ulccs in the Kerala government.
Developed on the Quarry website, Sargaalaya supports more than 1,000 artisans and hosts the largest craft fair in southern India, the Sargaalaya International Crafts Festival. The 2025 edition is expected to include artisans from 24 states and 15 countries.
At its core are 27 live demonstration units, which not only display crafts, but are also made in real time by providing immersive education to visitors and students. Design interns from NIFT and Pearl Academy work regularly with artisans to modernize design while respecting their roots.
Ayappan is an 80-year-old craftsman who sits patiently in a kora grass weaving mats. He has been doing this since he was 18 years old. “It’s a traditional thing. I learned it because it comes from my family. My wife and I made these mats, too. I don’t want to stop it because I love the job,” he said proudly.
Ayappan’s mat is special. They use natural dyes that turn red from pathogenic trees and the mud is black. These mats are part of the UNESCO Heritage List. “No design, it takes 2-3 days to make a mat. Using the design, it may take a week.”
“We bought Ayappan after retirement due to his passion. He has over 55 years of experience. That’s what makes Sargaalaya apart,” said senior general manager Rajesh TK.
Another craftsman, Vasudevan Chithil, showed his metal engraving art. One of his works is the Sita Apaharan scene in Ramayana, carved on copper using only a hand chisel. “I started during my diploma in Geometric Design,” he said, and he even won a state award for carving the entire Ramayana on bronze.
Suresh is a woodworking artist and a majestic elephant carved by Karimerith Wood. It took him about 3 years to carve a 9-foot wooden elephant. One of the most inspiring stories of Sargaalaya is Arun Ak, a deaf sculptor. Arun was born in a poor family and did not let his disability stop him. He went to a special school and later studied fine arts. Now he has made beautiful sculptures from clay and has won many awards for his work.
“Many younger generations are attending our seminars. To keep art and craft alive, more and more organizations like Sargaalaya should appear, and only then can we maintain these livelihoods and bring a new generation through the field of crafts.
For adults with intellectual disabilities, their lives after the age of 18 often become blank. Kozhikode’s UL Care Nayanar Sadanam fills this gap. The center, launched in 2015, now trains more than 140 people with crafts, packaging, sanitary product creation and basic job skills. Nowadays, many people work in hospitals, cafeterias and shops throughout the city.
To join the center, people need to be over 18 years old and have a disability certificate. They prioritize families with larger financial needs. Everyone is evaluated in detail to find the right vocational training. The training is personalized because “everyone is completely different.”
Dr. MK Jayaraj, director of the ULCCS Foundation, mentioned that while “sanitation employment” may be provided elsewhere, they are focused on finding jobs in the regular workforce. The work they look for is usually repetitive and not too complicated or dangerous. They found many such jobs.
Similar initiatives Sargasheshi focus on enhancing women’s power in Down syndrome through craftsmanship and entrepreneurship. Women are not considered beneficiaries, they are creators, workers and contributors to their communities.
On the other hand, in a world where older people often disappear, Madithattu in Vatakara offers different visions, one of which is laughter, learning and community. This Advanced Citizen Day Care Center provides holistic care such as medical examinations, physical therapy, meals and psychological support. But what makes it unique is its spirit in film screenings, art studios, literature and intergenerational programs with schoolchildren.
“We think aging should be happy, not painful,” said Dr. Jayaraj. “Some of our members who once refused to speak now sing, dance and even write poetry.”
Through its community-based rehabilitation program, ULCCS has expanded elderly care to over 2,500 people in four panchayats. All services, including medications and physical therapy, are available for free. Ensure self-sustainability through income-generating weapons such as medical laboratories and pharmacies.
Although ULCCS has branched into such fields, tourism and education, it has not forgotten its core objectives, namely, with injustice and job creation.
