Bamboo/ Cane/ Jute/ Fibre/ Leaf/ Grass

The versatility of jute comes alive in the traditional handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh. The rugged and unfinished texture of the fiber has its unique charm. Moreover, its cheap and eco-friendly nature enhances its creative potential, and makes it suitable for weaving items like lamps, hammocks, floor coverings, wall coverings, baskets, bags and even footwear. Bhopal, Raipur, Indore and Gwalior are major centers that produce jute handicrafts in Madhya Pradesh.

Coppices of bamboo trees envelop Madhya Pradesh and are extensively used by tribal people of the state, to give shape to various articles. Utility and ornamental objects deftly whittled from bamboo and cane, by people belonging to the Baiga, Gond, and Korku tribal communities of the region, are very popular. They skillfully amalgam their traditional knowledge and expertise of bamboo work with various contemporary designs.

Screw pine mat weaving is an ancient craft and one of the major cottage industries in Kerala. Three types of mats are woven with Screw pine leaves. The main centres of this craft in Kerala are Karunagapalli Taluk of Kollam Dist, Mavelikkara and Karthikapalli Taluks of Alappuzha dist. Thazava, Vachrai and Vallikunnam Panchayaths, some villages in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam Districts. Screw pine leaves are also woven, hand embroidered and shaped into products like household linen, straw hats, and carry bags.

The bamboos found in the Jharkhand forest are thin but flexible and strong. Using these, the artisans of Jharkhand produce different artifacts like basket, haunting and fishing equipment.

Willow rushes that grow plentifully in marshes and lakes in Kashmir are used to make charmingly quaint objects, ranging from shopping baskets and lampshades to tables and chairs, all generally in expensive. To increase their life span, unvarnished products should be chisel and frequently sprayed with water, particularly in hot, dry climates, to prevent them from brittle. Surprisingly strong, wicker baskets can be used as picnic hampers, lampshades, glass holders for holding hot tea, workbaskets, even packing cases which can be sent unaccompanied by road.

Baskets in Himachal are made of a high altitude species of bamboo called 'nargal'. In main Kullu Valley baskets (pataris) are made in a few Harijan villages near Mohal, about five miles from Kullu . These people had their full trade in the past when fruits were transported in the baskets by the orchardists.

Bamboo craft initially was more of a utility based thing where in 'mahras', a scheduled community made items required by farmers and fishermen. They made things to store food grains, sell fish.

Many utility items made out of bamboo are still used in villages like baskets, valli and supli (for washing and cleaning rice) and dali used as floor cover or to dry food grains. With time this traditional craft has taken shape of decorative cum utility items. Different types of flower baskets, flower pots, letter stands, fans etc are some common items now sold.

Nuns from Kerela brought the fiber craft to Goa. Fiber articles were earlier produced for utility purposes. This craft comes in handy keeping in mind the changing living style. The function of fiber is combined with some ornamentation to bring out some attractive and colorful items.

Shopping bags, ladies purses, coasters, wall hangings are made by some women organizations of Goa using banana or sisal fiber.

Jute craft is known to be one of the most unique crafts of India and items such as Decorative bags, belts, wall hanging, lamp shades, flower pots, hangers, etc are considered Goan souvenirs.

Chicks are window screens made of bamboo slats and are tied with plain or coloured string in designs all over northern India. Delhi also happens to be an important centre for chairs and stools made of the tall golden-white sarkanda grass, which grows in abundance in the capital's area.