Madurkathi are mats woven from a locally available soft reed called ‘Madur kottir’ in Bengali vernacular. Madur is the Bengali vernacular for floor mats. Mats are an integral part of Bengal’s lifestyle. Generally, women of the households are involved in weaving this beautiful craft.
Madur kottir is locally available soft reed (Cyperus tegetum or Cyperus pangorei) found abundantly in the alluvial tracts of East and West Medinipur districts of West Bengal. The Madur kottir / Madur Kathi grass required for making Madur is largely available in Sabang area of Paschim Medinipur.
The design is influenced by local culture. The popular designs are of flower, mouchak (honey comb), barfi (rhomboidal) and Jharna (cascading). There are basically two types of products: traditional floor mats and diversified products like table mats, curtains, bags etc.
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The artisans make three types of floor mats- Ak rokha, dui rokha and Masland. Ak rokha is a thin and light mat whereas Dui rokha has double Madurkathi weft and hence thicker and heavier than Ak rokha and more comfortable to sit and lie. The third one is Masland which is a textured mat with the decorated aesthetic appearance. Masland is the finest and most expensive mat among the three types of mat.
Madurs are dyed with vegetable dyes only. The vegetable dye preparation comes from natural sources. Black dye is produced using Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) fruit, fruit and barks of Babla tree (Acacia nilotica). Reddish dye is formed from a local tree name Rang gaach (Peristrophe tinctoria).
Records of the Medieval Period provide the first information about mat weaving in the region of Bengal- when both ordinary mats and the fine variety were produced. The origin of the craft in west Bengal dates back to the Muslim period when ‘ Masland ’ mats of superfine variety with fine cotton as weft were produced under royal patronage.
The processing of Madur Kathi and the skill full weaving of Madur mat is a delicate piece of work. The placing of reeds one by one very efficiently, the making of designs and other required traditional skills are acquired from the ancestors of the artist of Mahishya community in the area of Medinipur.
The weaving of Masland mats requires at least two persons. One person place the reeds from left to right by placing one thread on top and another one down the other person does the same thing from right to left at meeting the finishing lines the threads are turned and the process is continued.
GI Tag Registration Date : 28 March 2018
GI Tag Number : 567
Certificate Number : 320
Geographical Area : West Bengal
Special Cover Release Date : 30 November 2021
Cancellation : Bankura 722 101
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : WB/32/2021
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