Assam
State of Assam is located in south of the eastern Himalayas, Assam has an
area of 30,285 sq mi (78,440 km2). It shares an international border with
Bhutan. Guwahati is the capital of Assam.
The
craft of weaves started when communities living in diverse climates and
harsh terrains creatively responded to the challenges of their environment by
transforming locally available natural fibres to create a large variety of
objects necessary for their survival. The ingenuity of community artists
created a great variety of natural fibre products. The products range in both
scale and form, from large architectural creations of homes and shelters,
suspension bridges and fences to smaller objects: baskets, mats and hand fans.
The forms of several baskets have evolved as a response to function, as seen in
examples such as the open weave baskets of Mizoram which are flexible and allow
the person to carry firewood, while the close-weave baskets of Garo hills in
Meghalaya are used to transport and store rice grains. As the world progressed
the artists also diversified into curtains, table mats, lamp shades, wall and
other table d├®cor.
Natural
fibre products have certain distinctive qualities like their colour, texture
and of belonging to the earth. A woven surface, like a reed mat, could have
many shades of white or brown. We searched for such beauty that lies in
asymmetry, irregularity and natural warmth. There is a distinctive aroma that
the products give.
Processing
method: Golden Grass (Vetiver zizanoids), or Kainch or Sikki as it is known
locally, derives its name from its natural golden colour. Found in wet and
marshy areas, this grows to a height of about 6 ft. Sikki collection is a
labour intensive process and is usually undertaken by women who often have to
swim through neck-deep water to reach areas where the grass flourishes. After
collection, the flowering portion at the top of the stem is removed. The
remainder is carefully splintered into two pliable strips. These strips are
sun-dried till they assume a warm golden hue. Artisans wishing to incorporate
more colour in their work, dye the strips at this stage. The dried strips are
the raw material used to weave Golden Grass handicrafts.
The grass is split into two even strands and left out to dry. The women use their teeth to split each stem along its length. Once split, the strips are dried in the sun. Drying imparts the distinctive golden colour to Sikki. Drying ÔÇ£ripensÔÇØ the Sikki from a bright green to a warm yellow. A few strands dyed in contrasting bright colours were, at times, woven into traditional handicrafts to offset the rich golden colour of Kaincha and to highlight intricate patterns.
Chemical dyes that were locally available were often used. Nowadays, artisans
prepare and use natural dyes. They often experiment with non-traditional colour
combinations. Golden grass weaving today, even in its market-oriented avatar,
retains its roots as a home-based industry and requires very little money to
establish. Locally available material and existing skills are leveraged to
generate income for a family. The production process requires simple, low-cost
tools. Even the most intricate weaves require little more than a needle with a
wooden handle and a shaving blade.
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