Kannadippaya weaving training at Venmony in Idukki. |Picture source: Special arrangement
Smooth as glass, thin enough to roll, hand-woven, Kanadipaya (gi-marked handicraft) is now at the heart of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) revival mission.
The mat is named after a mirror-like luster – made of njoonjileeta (teinostachyum favorii), a rapidly growing crawling bamboo has been found in the forest-rich area of Kerala. Traditionally, the mat was made by members of the indigenous community of Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan and Kadar tribes, especially in Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Palakkad. The communities of Ularaya, Malayarayan and Hill Pulaya are also part of this legacy. But today, more and more young people are aware of the complex techniques of Kannadippaya weaving, an art from one generation to another.
Shocking situation
“The situation is shocking,” said Av Raghu, senior scientist at KFRI. “Most new generations have never seen Kannadippaya, let alone know how to make one. That’s why we started the project – save and transfer knowledge before it disappears.”
With the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of India, the KFRI initiative is based on three core pillars: planting raw materials, purchasing harvested bamboo, and training the next generation of weavers.
So far, the institute has planted 2,000 Njoonjileetas in Venmony Forest Land with the help of the Forest Department. In the coming years, seedlings will become a sustainable source of raw materials. The training for material collection has been completed and now the focus has been changed to weaving.
Six senior female weavers from Venmony are leading the legacy. Among them is Ponmala Gopalan, 87, from Palaplavu, who goes mad with pride when she talks about her involvement. “My mother and grandmother passed this skill to me. I’m happy to share it with the younger generation.”
As part of the program, five senior weavers have begun training 15 young men and women between the ages of 20 and 40. Purpose: Make Kannadippaya production a viable craft once again, not just a forgotten tradition.
Multiple uses
These mats are not limited to sleep arrangements. Multifunctional reeds are used to make sitting mats, prayer mats, curtains, glass trays (Muram), dry mats, baby play mats and decorative baskets – traversing the signature kannadi (mirror) design to give the mat the name.
KFRI Director Kannan CS Warrier believes that the GI tag is more than just a symbolic honor. “It opens the door to global markets. Our plan is not only to protect tradition, but also to diversify the process and make it more popular. It is a legacy with potential. KFRI will conduct Idukki Model Kannnadippaya training the Eranakulam, Palakkad and Thrissur regions,” said Mr Warrier.
publishing – April 13, 2025, 7:57 pm IST
