Docu breathes fresh life into Koyilandy hookah

Kerala-based NGO ARPO documents 'the last of the hookah-makers'

- Pooja Nair @Kozhikode

N Koyilandy, tucked away in Kerala's Malabar coast, time once stood still with the hiss of hot metal, the scent of molten wax, and the clang of hammer on brass. For over 300 years, this sleepy town has helped shape an extraordinary symbol of cross-cultural legacy, royal indulgence, and skilled craftsmanship passed down like a sacred chant through generations.

And, after a period in obscurity and neglect, the Malabar hookah — also known as the Koyilandy hookah — is now seeing a revival, with interest from both domestic and international buyers.

These are no ordinary hookahs. Forged by the Mooshari community and finished with oversize coconut shells and ornamental brass work, they were once treasured in the Arabian peninsula. They graced Bedouin tents and palaces alike, and were carried across the sea by Yemeni traders, who settled in Malabar centuries ago.