The Grass That Grows Only Here: N.G. Chandrakanth and Kouna Weaving
N.G. Chandrakanth
The question this story follows:
“Can an NGO-led revival of kouna weaving build a sustainable livelihood for Meitei women, or will logistics and market distance slowly drain the tradition?”
N.G. Chandrakanth works with the NGO Eastern Women and Child Development to revive kouna grass weaving — a Meitei tradition anchored to a plant found nowhere else in the world.
N.G. Chandrakanth has been with the NGO Eastern Women and Child Development in Manipur for five years, working to sustain the traditional practice of kouna grass weaving. Kouna is a water reed found in only two places on earth — Manipur and Thailand — and for generations it has been part of Meitei community life.
Traditionally, kouna was woven into mats used for Puja rituals. Today the weavers produce whatever people need — a 5.5-foot mat is priced at around Rs 1,800 — and exhibit their work at exhibitions in Delhi and other cities for 15 days every month. Chandrakanth sees Japan as a model: a nation that proudly promotes its own regional crafts to the world.
The landlocked geography of Manipur remains the biggest structural challenge — transportation costs cut into everything. But the exhibitions continue, and so does the weaving.
Updates
Episode 1: N.G. Chandrakanth — Kouna Grass and the Meitei Community
My name is N.G. Chandrakanth. I am from Manipur, and I work with the NGO Eastern Women and Child Development, where I have been for five years.
We weave with kouna grass — a water reed found in only two places in the entire world: Manipur and Thailand. For generations, this skill has been part of our Meitei community. Weaving is done on the community's off days, and one handmade item takes about half a day to finish.
Traditionally, we wove mats for Puja purposes — in our community, almost every household has a kouna mat for religious use. Now we weave according to what people need. A 5.5 ft mat is priced at around Rs 1,800.
Transportation is our biggest challenge — Manipur is landlocked, and getting products out is difficult. But selling has become easier: every month, for about 15 days, we get to showcase our work at exhibitions in Delhi and other cities.
My message to the nation: look at Japan as a model — a country that celebrates and promotes its own culture. Let us be proud of what every state makes, and showcase India's craft diversity to the world.