Madurkathi Mat Weaving West Bengal

Madurkathi mats are woven from the dried stems of the madurkathi grass (Cyperus tegetum) harvested from the marshy lowlands and waterlogged fields of Midnapore and Howrah districts in West Bengal. Grasscutters harvest the stems in the monsoon season; they are split, sun-dried, and dyed with natural and synthetic colours before weaving. Weavers interlace dyed and undyed strips on simple frame looms to create floor mats, prayer mats, wall hangings, bags, and decorative items in geometric zigzag, diamond, and check patterns. Madurkathi is naturally cooling and insulating underfoot. The craft has been revived through NREGA livelihood programmes and by West Bengal's Small Industries Development Corporation as an export product. Sabang block in Paschim Medinipur is the primary production centre, with over 15,000 weaver households.