Reed Mat Weaving (Madur) - Medinipur, Kolkata
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Thick bamboo stalks being tied for strong support.
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Artisan weaving a reed stalk.
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The reed stalks are woven by going through alternative strings.
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Artisans carrying out the activity with full commitment.
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With the help of wooden combs, the reed stalks are pushed together to make them stay intact.
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Artisan tying knots at the ends of stalks.
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Stalks being set together.
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A glimpse of a fully completed traditional reed mat.
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A hand weaved reed mat ready for commercial sale.
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Artisan and his family working on reed mat weaving from three generations.
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Craftsman’s house at Maya village of Medinipur.
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Artisan dedicated to the work.
Madur is one of the most famous and prominent mats among the varieties of mats manufactured in West Bengal. In Bengal, the word Madur is generic for floor mats. It is an ancient cottage industry from the place of Medinipur. The artisans working from the area are well trained in gathering labor-intensive raw materials and tools required for the craft. They weave these mats on a bamboo frame, using reed stalks and jute yarns. Today, the craft is practiced in workshops usually set inside households and run by family members.
The craft, which is a means of living for thousands from rural areas, is highly regarded for its durability and range of varieties. Mr. Hari Mandal, a senior artisan from the Maya village of Medinipur, is one among the few who practice the traditional form of reed mat weaving, which is in great demand in the Bengal market. He and his family are actively involved in both the farming of madur grass as well as madur weaving, an activity that is taken up for an additional source of income. Madur crafts produce products like table runners, mats, curtains, hats, purses, sun-guards, etc.
For more details:
https://www.dsource.in/resource/reed-mat-weaving-madur-medinipur-kolkata
