Ghughumari a is village in Cooch Behar district is the abode of Sitalpati (Cool Mat) weavers where around 528 artisans are continuing the tradition. Most of their families migrated from Tangail,
Mymensingh, Pabna, Sirajgunje and Bikrampur areas of present day Bangladesh and settled in this region during the partition of Bengal. New Cooch Behar is the nearest railway station which is half an hour's drive from Ghughumari.
Sitalpati where "Sital" means Cool and "Pati" means Mat. When both the words come together "Sitalpati" can be said as "Cool Mat". Yes, these cool caresses are extremely commodious during summer months. These mats are so smooth that even a snake cannot wriggle over it.
Mat making involves slicing, weaving and processing of green cane slips, Maranta Dichotoma or "Muthra Reed". Men grow and extract the fiber while the women weave. A simple natural color variation of brown and white along with the weaver's creative patterns bring about the most intricately simple yet unique designs. The quality of the Sitalpati mat is judged by its glossiness, smoothness and fineness of texture.
Recognized as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO which in association with Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles has developed a Rural Craft Hub at Ghughumari.
Sitalpati where "Sital" means Cool and "Pati" means Mat. When both the words come together "Sitalpati" can be said as "Cool Mat". Yes, these cool caresses are extremely commodious during summer months. These mats are so smooth that even a snake cannot wriggle over it.
Recognized as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO which in association with Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles has developed a Rural Craft Hub at Ghughumari.
Comments
Post a Comment