Charpai: Eco-Friendly Cots
Explore the community and environment where eco-friendly beds and seatings are made
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Crafts of Haryana
The vedic land of Haryana is the face of modern India. On one hand, it takes pride in its history and culture and on the other it cradles a futuristic vision. The state strikes an exquisite balance between agriculture and industrialization. While its cities have grown as hubs of industry and commerce (Gurugram houses headquarters of major Indian and international corporations), nearly 75% of Haryana’s population is rural, living in villages and leading a traditional lifestyle.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- economic (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
One such village is Nai, located in Punhana tehsil in Mewat district of Haryana. It is at a distance of 10 km from Punhana marketplace, which serves as the main market for the village.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Master Craftsmen (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Master craftsmen, Brothers Shamsher Khan (45) and Mahmood Khan (41) sitting with their helper, Samna Khan in their workshop in Punhana during the day. Theirs is the only family which has been making charpais for the last 22 years.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
An old man relaxing outside his home on a charpai with his grandchildren in Nai, the native village of charpai craftsmen situated 10 km away from Punhana.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Charpai, a multi-utility sleeping or sitting bed is found in different sizes in almost all households of Nai village.
Being made of wood and woven in natural materials, they are eco-friendly and easily recyclable.
Charpais of Nai
Rooted in their rich traditional history, people in Nai earn their living primarily through agriculture and handicraft making. Women make home utility and decor products whereas one family (of seventeen members) has been engaged in making unique Charpais for the last 22 years. Charpai - ‘Char’ means four and ‘pai’ means feet - is a light weight rectangular wooden bed with four legs. It is one of the most economical and multi functional piece of furniture which is indigenous and unique to India.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Every home has multiple charpais used for different purposes. Women use Peedas (21 inch x 21 inch) for sitting and doing household work; Khatola (38 inch x 27 inch) is a sleeping bed for children; Dehla (7 ft x 4 ft) the largest size charpai is used in community halls by groups (of men) for sitting; and Palang (6 ft x 3.5 ft) is used as an indoor bed.
Charpais are also presented during weddings by parents to their daughters.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
A decade old charpai woven in traditional moonj grass. The craftsmen used local moonj grass for Charpai weaving before the trend shifted towards the new generation resham charpais.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- economic (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
People at Punhana believe in recycling and keeping the environment clean. A traditional modha or a seating stool is made using moonj grass and recycled tyres.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
To keep the environment clean, a traditional modha or a seating stool has been made using recycled tyres.
A multi-purpose bed
Charpais are made in different sizes and designs, and one can see them being used as a part of everyday life in the villages of Nai and Punhana. Charpais made in these villages have hand-carved frames and woven in vibrant resham (silk) ropes. Women use them during daily household activities and men use them as day beds in their farms, while small versions of them are used as sitting stools. Often covered with colourful handmade bed sheets, the Charpais are used during social gatherings and given as wedding gifts from parents to their daughters.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Eldest brother and head of the family, Sammudin, waits by a Dehla, the largest sized charpai (7ft x 4ft) in the community hall (called baithak) for an evening get together over hookah in Nai village.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Punhana charpais are made in different sizes to cater to various needs of the household.
A Khatola (38 inch x 27 inch) charpai is mainly used by children to play and sleep.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Every home in Nai village has multiple charpais which are used for various purposes, such as an ironing board.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Affluent families of Nai village own a private community hall near their homes used by male family members and their friends to meet or rest. These community halls can usually accommodate 4 and 6 large sized charpais called Dehlas (7 ft x 4 ft).
Charpai Making in Haryana: Village life- social (2019)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Homes in Nai village are decorated with handcrafted wall hangings.
The charpais are adorned with colourful handcrafted bed covers stitched by the women of the house.
Charpai Making in Haryana: Punhana charpai (2019) by UnknownDastkari Haat Samiti
Text: Anupriya
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri and Jaya Jaitly
Artisans: Shamsher Singh
Ground Facilitator: Anupriya
Documentary Video: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Curation: Ruchira Verma
