Chettinad Kottan Palm Leaf Basketry of Tamil Nadu

Kottan is a fine palm leaf basket tradition from Chettinad region of Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu. The baskets are woven from the fresh young leaf shoots of the palmyra palm, stripped into narrow ribbons and woven in geometric and diagonal patterns to produce containers of precise geometric form: cylindrical, rectangular, and oval. Kottan baskets are used in Chettinad households for storing provisions, transporting food, and as ceremonial gift containers. The weaving is done by women of the Nattukotai Chettiar community and by agricultural communities of the region. The fine gauge of Kottan weaving produces rigid, smooth-surfaced baskets unlike the rougher utilitarian baskets common elsewhere. Kottan received GI certification. Premium natural kottan sets retail from Rs 500 to Rs 3000 depending on size and intricacy. Export demand from eco-lifestyle buyers in Europe is growing.