Mats of Midnapore: Different Markets

Often, it is the traditional village product that gets a new lease of life with the discerning new customer in larger cities who has become conscious of handcrafted, organically made items for a more sustainable way of living.

The hand woven grass mat is the first essential item needed in a home of a farmer or weaver.

It performs many basic functions and is safely organic, cooling and smooth textured enough to use for a sleeping infant.

Alternative products are created by mat weavers to store or organise different items in their homes.

The mat can be for sleeping, covering a surface, or even serve as a partition between two spaces in a village home. For that purpose, a woven curtain is used in many houses.

The weaver may sell a mat at the village market to someone living in a similar village.

At such markets wholesalers come to purchase items for resale to a nearby town where customers require products for a more urban way of life.

The next range of more expensive items would be for the discerning new customer in larger cities who has become conscious of handcrafted, organically made items for a more sustainable way of living.

Handbags like these are exclusively made for the urban customer and sold directly through craft bazaars, or to retail shops in large towns and cities.

Ornamentation and design inputs are additional facets acquired through interaction with clientele from such places.

Products like a sling bag for a young college student are some of the items that keep the next generation familiar with India’s unique craft practices.

The elegance of a natural dyed set of table mats is very attractive when sold in up-market localities. Such items are even exported.

Many a time, it is the traditional village product that gets a new lease of life. Fine workmanship is rewarded and price is not the crucial factor.

Each market has its place for the weaver. The smart craftsman is the one who recognises his customer, and can give him what he is looking for.

Read more about Mat Weaving here:

- Mat Weavers of West Midnapore
- Weekly Village Market