Grass Basketry Sitargang
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Dry grass is dipped in water to make it soft.
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Grass is split into two parts.
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Grass strand is made even with the help of iron awl.
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The grass is knotted to make base of the basket.
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The grass strands is stretched tightly to make base strong.
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Punja (local language) is a grass used for inner stuffing.
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Khaas is lighter grass used to cover punja grass by winding.
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The closer view of winding and coiling.
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Thickness of the coils depends on number of grass strands taken while winding.
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Sharp iron tool is used to pierce for creating gap in the coil.
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Color grass and plastic strips are added in between to create design pattern.
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The final products are ready for marketing.
The art of Coiled basketry is one of the famous basketry in India. There is a vast change introduced in the craft by implementing new shapes, design patterns and new techniques. Different forms and shapes are evolved by using natural grass with a technique which consists sewing together the coiled strips, coiling starts from base. The shapes and techniques of basketry vary from one region to other according to the local custom, needs and techniques.
The baskets are largely used by the tribal women to carry food and store grains. The dried wild grass is wrapped and coiled for rolling. The motifs of basketry are created by adding colored grass in between during weaving process. Coil grass products used for both domestic purpose as well as ritual purposes. Basketry making is mainly done by women. Basket making starts by making the base first. Two types of grass are used in making baskets are harvested and wild grass.
For more details: http://dsource.in/resource/grass-basketry-sitargang
