Madurkathi

Madurkathi
Geographical indication
Alternative namesমাদুরকাঠি
DescriptionHandicrafts
TypeHandicrafts
AreaWest Bengal
CountryIndia
Registered28 March 2018
Official websiteipindiaservices.gov.in

Madurkathi mats, or madur, are mats woven in West Bengal from a reed called madur kottir, or madurkathi, a sedge of the family Cyperaceae. Madur mat-making is a long-standing tradition, centred on the Medinipur district, and is an important part of the rural economy. The mats are woven mainly by weavers of the Mahishya caste, and predominantly by women. This cottage industry contributes significantly to village household income.[1][2]

In Bengal, the word madur is used as a generic term for floor mats, although it designates mats woven from a specific type of reed.[3] Mats are an integral part of the social fabric of rural Bengal, and Madurkathi mats are popularly used to sit on and as bedding. The mats are non-conductive and sweat-absorbing, making them an essential household item in West Bengal's hot and humid climate. These mats are also used for religious purposes.[1]

On March 28, 2018, Indian Patent Office granted the Government of West Bengal a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag for madurkathi, under registration no. 567 in respect of handicrafts. The application for registration of madurkathi was filed by the Government's West Bengal Khadi & Village Industry Board.[4][5]

  1. ^ a b Jana, Kalyan; Puste, Am (April 2014). "Madur Kathi – An Important Economic Non-food Crop of West Bengal". Asian Agri-History. 18 (2): 145–151.
  2. ^ "Madurkathi". Biswa Bangla. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  3. ^ Naturally Bengal. "Madur, Bengal's Best Traditional Mats". www.naturallybengal.com. Naturally Bengal, India. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  4. ^ "India: Madurkathi of West Bengal Gets a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag | Lexology". www.lexology.com. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  5. ^ Singh, Shiv Sahay (2018-05-30). "Bengal's Chau mask acquires GI fame". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-12-11.