Bamboo Mat Weaving - Tripura
Agartala is the capital of the Indian state of Tripura and also is the second-largest city in northeast India after Guwahati. Agartala is one of the fastest-growing, developing cities in India. Artisans at the Agartala cluster practice crafts starting from utility products, decorative items, room dividers, turning products, and several other products. The Government of Tripura initiated Tripura Bamboo Mission to support artisans and develop the state's bamboo sector. This mission aims to upgrade the artisan"s skills in making bamboo products and give them professional training. These bamboo crafts have high demand and are being exported to various countries. In the present scenario, it is approximated that nearly 200 exquisite products are produced here, and About ten thousand skilled artisans are engaged in the production of these handicrafts in the state.
Tripura has a tropical savanna climate hence heavy rain, which results in the highest bamboo and cane growing state. Bamboo is a quick-growing, easy to cultivate, and non-timber product. Most bamboo species are being harvested in three to five years, and some species are reaching maturity in a year. Therefore, it is a low-cost material that is strong and durable and can be used for just about anything from house building to decorative objects. It can be used as a raw material for making various products. The craftsmen developed many methods of jointing bamboo without using any other materials. Weaving is not the only method of joining but a unique process of bamboo handcraft that represents the unique material properties of the highly developed techniques of artisans. Bamboo has been used to make beautiful and antique goods as well. People opt for such products for house decoration and office interiors. It is a sustainable product and can adapt to the temperature. Bamboo has been used to make almost everything from clothing, textile, flooring, stationery, and handicrafts like baskets, trays, and mats.
