Pattamadai Pai (Pattamadai Mats) are extremely delicate and highly valued mats made with Korai grass (Sedge grass scientific name: Cyperus corymbosus Rottb.) grown on the banks of River Tamiraparani in Tamil Nadu. Their fineness ranges from 80 to 140 (counts) wrap threads for every nine inches of total warp width, the higher the count, the fine is the mat.
The mats have weft of Korai grass and wrap of cotton or even silk threads. The mats are made in numerous colours and designs. They are usually rectangular in shape and are produced in various sizes to serve different purposes such as covering the floors, hanging on walls, mats for worshipping and sleeping, etc.
The fully grown Korai grass is cut and soaked in running water of river Tamiraparani and then split into fine strands. The outer part of the stem is used for weaving, while the inside portion of the stem is removed with a sharp-edged knife.
The counts of the mat depend on how many strips of grass is cut into. The strips of grass are then dried in the hot sun and core is taken. The Korai grass is not exposed to humidity as they tend to turn black with exposure. As the dried grass strips turn a yellowish green colour they are boiled in a pot of water and then dried again.
The dried grass is made up into bundles and then soaked in running water, so that the grass to swell up to three times its original size. Afterwards, it is dried again in the sun and then the outer layer is separated and differentiated by different grades.
The stripes are then dyed either with single colour or combined in traditional red, green and black colours. For Dyeing both natural and chemical dyes are used. The graded Korai grass is soaked in the isolated dyes so as to take colour. It is then dried in shade.
These strands are woven into fine mats, which is result of centuries of experience and expertise. So supple and lustrous is the mat that it seems to be made of silk threads. The weaving is done on a floor loom, the process is slow and follows a basket weave pattern.
The weft covers the wrap entirely and the pattern formed had an interesting striped effect of its own. For weaving one end of this wet grass is inserted in a hole of a long line stick, which can be compared to a huge needle. With the help of the stick, the grass is passed into the loom.
Afterwards the stick and the grass is held on the both sides by hand and is twisted to give uniform roundness and strength. Then the reed is placed against it several times to keep it in position. After the weaving is complete, the mat is compressed to eliminate any unevenness. Once the weaving is complete, the mat is dried in the sun for a short while. It is then finished with a polishing stone.
GI Tag Registration Date : 04 March 2013
GI Tag Number : 195
Certificate Number : 183
Geographical Area : Tamil Nadu
Special Cover Release Date : 26 August 2021
Cancellation : Pattamadai 627 453
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : TN/17/2021
The cover has an replica of Pattamadai Pai. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.
Back Side Scan of Cover
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