Shri Mantu Chandra Das
There are different categories of bamboo amongst the locally available ones - those green and soft varieties that are suitable for weaving and the other dry and hard variety which is suitable for turned and sculpted products. Amongst those suitable for weaving are Makhal, Phowra, Bahm and Mrithinga. Of these Mrithinga is the best suited and most popular variety for weaving. In the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland the bamboo is relatively of the softer and pliable variety. The predominant bamboo products of these regions are more of the ‘weaving type’ in which the craftsmen master. Using simple hand tools they weave a wide variety of bags, baskets, and belts, hats. The woven patterns are the unique features of the design of contemporary bags that are made extensively by most crafts persons in the Tripura. Locally called ek dhara (one up one down weave), dui dhara (two up two down weave), teen dhara, zig zag, co-star, biscuit design, pineapple, kukya (radial) design are easily recognized. Murri (border finishing), handle and binding combines the use of cane with bamboo. The craftsman is now more comfortable in using his traditional Dao with the Chowki along with newer hand tools like the Kainchi, measuring tape, fret saw and the hand drill.
The Barak – Sil Barak, the Nal Barak and the Sata Barak, are the variety used for turned and sculpted bamboo products. The bamboo available in the states of Manipur and West-Bengal are relatively hard. The entire region perhaps has bamboo houses of the most diverse designs.
For extended life cycle, pre-treatment of bamboo is a must and traditional techniques of using cow dung and Myrobalam along with the newer chemicals like boric acid and borax and sodium penta chloro –phosphate are still practiced. Dyeing techniques also include both vegetable natural dyeing or synthetic dyes in both hot and the cold processes. The demand for colored products is high and particularly bags and baskets fetch a very good price.
