Coir Craft - Kerala
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The spools are mounted on a metal frame.
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Each strand of the twine is firstly attached to the ends of the reed and then tied to the iron rod by grouping the twines.
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Large warp beam is connected to the handloom.
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The strands from the warp beam are knotted to the iron rod.
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The spindle is inserted into the wooden fly-shuttle.
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The weft process begins by passing the fly- shuttle through the warp.
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The traditional machine used for making coir mats – when one mat is finished, the weaving of new mat begins. On completing one mat, a wood plank is inserted and given a gap to start a new mat.
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The remaining warp is reused on completion of weaving the mats.
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The finished coir mats are rolled and kept for the next stage of processing.
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The water paints are applied using a spray gun.
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The rubber sheet is fixed on the bottom side of the mat.
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Creative and colourful doormats are produced from coconut husk.
The coir making process is a traditional craft of the people of Kerala as coir is available in abundance in the state. The artisans follow the traditional as well as the mechanical process of extracting fibre, twisting, spinning and making of twines and other products from coir. Kerala produces a great variety of products made out of coir as a raw material. The commercial production of coir in Kerala dates back to the ninetieth century and has become the largest cottage industry in the state, employing millions. The coir fibre is elastic and flexible to twist without breaking and it holds a curl as though permanently waved. The coir fibre is water-proof and resists damage against salt water. The sea water and fresh water is used in the production of white coir.
For more details:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/coir-craft-kerala
