Women Madur Weavers at Work

Artists from Paschim Medinipur2018

Details

Title: Women Madur Weavers at Work
Creator: Artists from Paschim Medinipur
Date Created: 2018
Location: Paschim Medinipur
Rights: Banglanatak.com
About the craft: Masland or Mataranchi is an exclusive and expensive handmade variety of Madur made with intricate weaving skills by weavers of Sabang in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. 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. Mats were collected as revenue of the Jaigirdari system. In 1744, Nawab Alibardi Khan issued a charter to the Jaigirdars in this regard and as a result, it was obligatory to supply ‘Masland’ mats for use in the collectorate. The traditional mat making families still retain the knowledge of weaving this fine variety of exclusive mats locally known as Masland or Mataranchi.

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