Property Plus
Coimbatore
Grass gets glitzy
Harnessing traditional river grass for some modern interior uses explains the contemporary theory of going green in a modest way. That explains the making of floor mats from kere hullu (in Kannada) or korai pullu (in Tamil) and garnishing it with visual appeal for decorative purposes to suit present day drawing and dining glamour.
Grass mats
River grass mats - made from grass grown on river beds – in their glossy makeovers are today an attractive alternative in drawing rooms as wall-hangers, floor mats, and window blinds, especially blending with cane furniture, low-level floor divans, terracotta lamp shades, bronze artefacts, stone sculptures and the like.
They are seen in the dining room in table mats and runners with zari borders; and coasters with bead edging available in bold colours. These mats are seen to be more appealing for such uses than old-time floor recliners that used to be the urban routine. So, NGOs and green foundations have helped the craft-based rural livelihoods preserve their micro-enterprises and sustain the rustic culture too.
These NGOs take part in trade fairs throughout the country and get bulk orders for the weavers. The export market is worth more than Rs. 1 crore for the mats. Several villages of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have traditional grass-mat weavers, with most of them having migrated from Myanmar decades ago.
The kere hullu, drawing minerals from the rivers, possesses inherent soothing health benefits.
The grass, used as it is or spliced in varied thickness, is soaked in water for softening, artificially or organically dyed and is then put on the loom or crafted by deft hands for a spread of the creative weave.
Embellishments as zari borders from Surat are added later.
RANJANI GOVIND
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