Bamboo Basketry, Bengaluru
Making process starts by splitting lengthy bamboo into small thin pieces. In case of basket weaving, the artisan cuts 32 splits from single bamboo. The outer skin of bamboo is peeled and soaked in water for few minutes as it is easy to weave the baskets with soaked bamboo. Initially the base part is made with splits of 1-inch width bamboo. Small splits of bamboo are used to weave the walls of basket. The weaving patterns of base may differ from product to product like carrying baskets, shopping baskets, containers, storage baskets and fruit baskets.
Bamboo basket consists of three parts:
• Base part
• Walls and
• Rim
Initially, the base part is made with thick 1-inch bamboo strips. A thin strip of one inch metal sheet is inserted to the base along with bamboo to give more strength to the bamboo basket. Once base weaving is completed, the side walls are weaved with small round shaped bamboo strips. Weaving is done by arranging the bamboo strips in criss-cross manner. During the side wall weaving of a basket, the colored bamboo strips are inserted to enhance the outer look.
Bamboo strips are dyed by immersing the bamboo strips in a color solution made by mixing color powder and water. Once the side walls are weaved, the rim of bamboo basket is made by fixing broad and thick strip of bamboo to the formed basket. The rim helps for better grip. A handle made of bamboo strips is added to the few products like fruit and flower baskets.
