Vernacular granaries of Gujarat can be classified as kothi, kothla and kabala. In the past, unlike today, when grains were available only seasonally, vernacular granaries were used to store surplus grain supply.
Handmade Granaries
Vernacular furniture is the traditional everyday furniture made by individuals or communities for everyday use and/or ceremonial purposes. Vernacular granaries of Gujarat can be classified as kothi, kothla and kabala. In the past, unlike today, when grains were available only seasonally, vernacular granaries were used to store surplus grain supply. Although they are not as widely used as before, vernacular granaries are an integral part of everyday life in many villages of Gujarat; especially in the Banni grasslands of Kutch, the farming villages of Saurashtra and the Adivasi expanse of East and South Gujarat.
VFG Region MapDesign Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Gujarat is sub-divided into five eco-cultural zones. For this study six zones were used:
1. North Gujarat
2. Central Gujarat
3. South Gujarat
4. East Gujarat
5. Saurashtra
6. Kutch
Distribution of mud granaries in GujaratDesign Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Here's a map indicating places where vernacular granaries were recorded during the survey.
Kothi and kothlo
Kothi and kothlo are a form of clay jar. A cylindrical mud granary with sculptural curves or a decorated rectangular granary are considered feminine and hence known as a kothi. Alternatively, a rectangular clay granary devoid of ornamentation is deemed to be masculine. Therefore, it is known as a khotlo or kotho.
Mud plastered granaries
Mud granaries are made using an admixture of mud, hay or straw and dung. The admixture is kneaded to achieve a clay like consistency to sculpt a granary.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Mud granaries can hold grain for several years without any damage. They are usually built by the women in a household, the men assist them by supplying material required to make the admixture - mud, hay or straw, and dung.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Once it is given the desired shape and size, the granary is left to dry. Upon drying, it is finished with a coat of lipan (plaster made of mud and dung).
The exterior of a kothi is plastered every year to ensure the grains remain cool in the summer heat, and as a defence mechanism against rat infestation.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
In the villages of East Gujarat, mud granaries are brown in colour, same as the soil of the region. In South Gujarat, they are red in colour owing to the soil quality found in the region.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Mud granaries are often made to rest on four feet or supports to avoid water seepage.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Lime plastered granaries
In Saurashtra and Kutch, where the climate is dry and arid, mud granaries are further treated with a few coats of lime plaster to maintain a cool temperature for the stored grains.
Among the farming communities of Saurashtra, the purpose of granaries was to accomodate large amounts of grain supply. Hence each household built multiple granaries or one large granary.
For example, a seven feet tall kothi with a narrow neck and bulbous body was recorded in Saurashtra.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
A small hole towards the bottom of a granary, known as aanu, is used as an outlet for grains.
Mud mirror granaries of Kutch
The most elegant mud granaries in Gujarat belong to the region of Kutch. The Rabari community residing in Kutch are renowned for their exquisite mud work. The technique of mud relief involves the use of a claylike mixture, made of mud and dung, that is rolled and then pinched over the outer surface of the mud furniture to achieve various relief patterns.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
The handmade patterns comprise of a mix of geometric designs and depictions of flora and fauna. Of these, the mor (peacock), popat (parrot) and karamphul (a stylised flower ornament) are a regular feature.
Sanjeriyu (Cabinet)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
The mud relief is further adorned with different sizes of square, circular or lozenge-shaped mirrors, that reflect the light from lamps and brighten the interiors in the night.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
This is also known as mud-mirror craft. The patterns and the use of mirrors in the mud relief work are inspired by the abhala-bharat (mirror-work embroidery) practised by the women of Kutch.
Kablo (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Kablo
Among the Adivasi communities of East Gujarat, bamboo baskets, known as kablo, are used to store grain. Although Adivasi women are skilled basket weavers, a kablooey, which can be as tall as five feet high, is woven by the men.
A tight knit kablo can be used to store grain right away. however, to make it durable, it is strengthened by applying a few layers of lipan to its surface. A lid make of woven bamboo is used to cover the kablo.
Foldable Kablo
The Adivasi of South Gujarat, who often do not have the luxury of space within their dwelling, have developed a unique foldable granary, which is actually a bamboo mat.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
A rectangular bamboo mat is fitted with a thin bamboo pole on two opposite edges. The inside surface of the mat is coated with lipan.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
Upon rolling, it forms a hollow cylinder as its two edges come together.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
The bamboo poles are firmly tied together, using a string, converting a bamboo mat into a kablo. Grain is then poured in the kablo.
Kothi (Granary)Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University
When the kablooey is empty of its contents, it can be rolled up like a mat and set aside.
The research on this story was conducted as part of the Vernacular Furniture of North-West India project, a collaborative research project conducted between 2015 - 2021 by the Design Innovation and Craft Research Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and the South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection Trust (SADACC), Norwich, UK.
The research on the vernacular furniture of Gujarat is presented in the following publications:
1. Sahaj: Vernacular Furniture of Gujarat, co-authored by Mitraja Bais, Jay Thakkar, Samrudha Dixit and Ben Cartwright
2. Catalogue of Vernacular Furniture: Gujarat, co-authored by Mitraja Bais, Jay Thakkar, Samrudha Dixit, Ben Cartwright and Mansi S Rao
This story has been compiled by Mitraja Bais.
For more information on the Vernacular Furniture of India, please visit: www.vernacularfurnitureofindia.com
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