Kannadippaya fabric training in Venmony in Idukki. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Smooth like glass, thin enough to roll, and intricately hand-woven, kannadippaya-a craft-tagged craft-is now in the heart of a revival mission by Kerala Forest Research Institute (Kfri).
The carpet named by its mirror -type brightness is made of njoonjileeta (Theinostachyum Wightii), A rapid -growing vine bamboo found in the districts rich in Kerala forests. The mat has been traditionally made by members of indigenous communities such as the Orali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malaya and Kadar tribes, partly in Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Palakkad. Communities such as Ulladan, Malayarayan and Hill Pulaya are also part of this legacy. But today, young Feer are aware of the intricate skill of Kannadippaya’s fabric, an oral art orally from one generation to the next.
Alarm situation
“The situation is an alarm,” says Av Raghu, Kfri’s main scientist. “The majority of the new generation has never seen a Kannadippaya, much less knowing how to do one. That’s why we start this project: to preserve and transfer knowledge before it fades.”
Backed by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, the KFRI initiative is based on three central pillars: plant the raw material, acquire the bamboo harvested and train the next generation of weavers.
Until now, the Institute has planted 2,000 young people from Njoonjileeta in Venmony forest lands with the help of the Forest Department. The offspring will serve as a sustainable source of raw material in the coming years. The training in the collection of materials has already been completed, and now the approach has changed to the tissue.
Six high -ranking weavers of Venmony are leading the position to pass this heritage. Among them is Ponamela Gopalan, 87, of Palallavu, who is headed with pride while talking about reinventing. “This ability was given to me by my mother and my grandmother. I am delighted to share it with the young generation.”
As part of the project, five veteran weavers have begun to train 15 young women and between the ages of 20 and 40. The goal: to make the creation of Kannadipaya a viable ship again, not just a forgotten tradition.
Multiple uses
These mats are not limited to sleep arrangements. The versatile cane is used to make sitting mats, prayer carpets, curtains, innovative trays (Muram), drying carpets, game carpets and decorative baskets, staging the design of Kannadi (mirror) that gives its name.
Kannan Cs Warrier, director of Kfri, sees the GI label as more than a simple symbolic honors. “Open doors to global markets. Our plan is not only to protect tradition, but to diversify the trade and make it more popular. This is inheritance with potential. Kfri will carry out the Idukki Kannnadippaya model making Eranakulam, Saprissur and Thrissur.
Published – April 13, 2025 07:57 PM IST