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CHETTINAD KOTTAN
The palmyra basket from the Chettinadu region of Tamil Nadu
The Chettinadu region of Tamil Nadu is known for its palatial houses, temples, and aromatic cuisine. It is located in the Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India. The region comprises the capital town of Karaikudi and 74 other villages and is the homeland of Nattukottai Chettiyars (Nagaraththar), a prosperous business and trading community. Amongst the many heritage aspects, the region is also known for the kottan , traditional hand-woven baskets made out of tender palm leaves and stems. Traditionally, these kottans were made by the aachis (a term for grandma in Tamil), and were used for packaging and as containers for gifts and other articles. The designs of the kottan are intricate and captivate the viewer.
The Chettinad Kottan
The kottan comes in different colours
Kottan baskets with betel leaves and areca nuts are given to people during special occasions. The process of making the baskets involves the use of raw materials and a variety of tools. The raw materials used are kuruthhu (harvested palm leaf), natural and chemical dyes, and thread. The tools used are satyagaam (cutting tool), palm-leaf slicing machine, wrench, cutter, needle and thread, measuring scale and tape, vessel for dyeing, and a mug to hold water. Tender palm leaves are sourced locally and are dried under the sun for two to three hours. Palm leaves can be stored for a long time as they do not get spoilt. Then, the leaves are cut into strips of uniform-width using the slicing machine. The dyeing process involves dipping the strips into water and adding the natural or chemical dyes. The moist strips are hung out to dry under the sun for a day. The Chettinadu kottan has a unique weaving pattern and is different from palm-leaf crafts of other regions in Tamil Nadu. There are many weaving patterns such as Gundamani pattern, Malayalum pattern, cut kottan , and others. After the weaving is done, a border (known as ikkee) is woven into the strips for better durability of the basket. Decorative items such as beads and crochet are woven to embellish the baskets and make them more attractive. Though Kottans were primarily used for packaging and as containers, to meet the needs of the market, new products such as mats, trays, coasters, bags, and others have also evolved.
The craft of making kottan is almost extinct now, with very few organisations working to preserve it. When it was a flourishing craft, it used to be a major source of income for the local communities. The women of the villages in Chettinadu were engaged in making kottan while the men worked in the agricultural fields. Since many people migrated to the city in search of better prospects, the numbers practicing the craft dwindled and currently very few pursue this craft in the Chettinadu region. Promoting the use of kottan products can help in spreading the message on sustainability.
Baskets being woven out of palm-leaves
These products can be great sustainable options in place of other plastic and single-use products. Kottan products were awarded the UNESCO Seal of Excellence in 2004. Due to its unique style and colour, Chettinadu kottan was also given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in the year 2012. The recognition that the craft has received from UNESCO and the Government of India will go a long way in attracting buyers for these products.
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