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The regional waver who make these crafts says, this a craft which anyone can learn and do within minutes, and where they can get the raw material! Obviously, from the nature and for free. From mats to wall hangings and utility crafts everything can be made with these techniques and your own creativity. The beauty of these mats lies in the feeling of sitting on it. In 20th century people of rural india use these mats to sit and sleep during hot summer. This is not the sitalpati mat, you can check about the sitalpati mat by going through this link: Let’s know more about screw pine craft.
Well the origin of screw pine craft is Kerala, this technique is used to create different types of mats, wall hangings and utility crafts using the leaves of the screw pine plant. As per an application filed by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, "Screw pine craft of Kerala" has been granted Registration in Part A in respect of Mats, Door Mats, Wall Hangings, Bed Mats, Prayer Mats falling in Class – 27 under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 with effect from 30 November 2015.
Mat waving with screw pine leaves are generally practiced by Kerala and most of tribal and rural villages in India. The mats produced by screw pine possess a very significant role in Indian marriages and traditional festivals. In 20th century it was a honour to be offered to sit over a screw pine mat. Important visitors were offered to sit on the mat and finer varieties of these mats were used as sheets over bed to sleep. Under the skill India movement, women also getting empowered to work with screw pine craft. It is playing a very significant role due to its eco-friendly form of practice.
People are getting attracted towards it because of many things as, it uses an eco-friendly material, it can provide a cooling sense outside in hot summer, most people love the beach hats made with screw pine leaves. From simple table mat to dining table mat, light weight bags, simple floor mats, home slippers even you can find stylish file holders with screw pine also. If you will visit to any Hindu temple in india, you will find the offering of flower and fruits to god is also made with utensils of screw pine. The uses of screw pine craft in daily life is too many.
You have to cut down the pine leaves and thorns are spliced apart splicing the leaf into two, then the leaves are rolled outwards to prevent them from curling. The whole rolling and then drying part will be completed with bare hands, hence it makes it quite tedious. Then the leaves get sorted in terms of size, width and density according to their uses.
Weaving a mat: It’s the simplest technique, you just need to put one leaf over another to give it a flat mat structure. The opening ends are tucked in the opposite directing which will face the floor and cannot be seen by the viewer. To weave a 6ft. by 4ft. mat, it takes one day to a craftsman. The finer version with designs may take more time depending on the work.
Making of Container: Firstly, square measured dimension cut outs are formed and then they joined with the help of card board. Usually card board is inside and cannot be seen because it’s covered with pine mats. A special type of knot is formed to make the edges look good and flawless.
Many types of bags, hand fans, document holder, wall hanging, hats are on market made by pine leaves. Screw pine products are now on trend due to its eco-friendly practice, also government steps like “Make in India” and “Skill India” also promoting employment for craftsmen on this practice.
