Odisha Handicrafts is a club of diversity from different corners of the state encapsulating many myriad cultures and history. One with entangled grasses woven into objects of wonder and utility, is Sabai Grass, from the land of Palaces and Tigers in Odisha - Mayurbhanj.
Sabai grass is grown in a wide part of Mayurbhanj district and is mainly used for making Sabai Ropes. The Sabai craft of Mayurbhanj slowly has also grabbed global attention and has become a trans-national craft. Mayurbhanj has become the first district ever to get an international license to export Sabai crafts.
Many Sabai Grass products are designed to wrap around an object or to be used as containers to provide aesthetic appeal to common items. Sabai Grass plant holders, laundry baskets, and fruit baskets, for example, are ubiquitous items that gives visual appeal to any environment. Sabai Grass is frequently utilised in home design, particularly in Indian families, where Sabai Grass items are valued for giving any living area a natural feel.
Sabai rope is also used in making Sofa sets, Chairs, Tea Pot etc. One training centres has been opened at Baripada by Director Handicraft and Cottage industry Odisha to train local boys and girls particularly from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe groups.
Covid And After...
However, there was a marked slump in the demand of Sabai products during the Covid pandemic. The district of Mayurbhanj has a considerably high tribal population which depends on sabai grass cultivation and crafts for their livelihood. Now time has come for them to excel in their craft and earn their livelihood as well. They can now get better price for their products by selling them in international markets. The Sabai craft of Mayurbhanj has now grabbed global attention and has become a trans-national craft.
The Sabai Grass Beauty
Sabai Grass is also environmentally benign and long-lasting. Sabai Grass Weaving is made up of artisans that meticulously weave things by hand. Because no industrial machinery is employed, Sabai Grass products do not use energy-intensive manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, because we live in a time when people are more worried about the environment, you can be sure that your purchase of Sabai Grass goods will not increase your carbon footprint unnecessarily, which is especially important given the growing threat of climate change.
For a place like Mayurbhanj which solely depends on agriculture, this decision has come as a welcome relief. 22 types of Sabai grass products have been exported to Florida by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) There are further plans of these products to be exported to America, Britain and other developed countries as per demands.
It is laudable that these craftsmen used to make near about 190 types of products from Sabai grass which was being sold through various Government-run stores and outlets such as Mayurashilpa.
Connect with Gilehrio if you are looking for these lovely Sabai Grass products!
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