Handmade in India

SIKKI CRAFT
Sikki, golden grass, found growing wild in marshy areas is
used to make sikki objects. No material other than the grass is
used in the craft. The only tool used is a needle, with the help
of which the craftspersons coil the grass. They usually buy
straw which is already processed and coloured in magenta,
pink, green or red. Although a traditional craft in these parts,
the objects now made are designed for urban and
contemporary markets. Table mats, tea coasters, hats, trays,
bags, lampshades and a range of boxes are some of the
articles made by the craftspersons, who also work as farm
labour. They have been introduced to design development by
voluntary groups and governmental organisations. The
products crafted with silli are sold in showrooms and
handicraft emporia.
Production Clusters
Jaipur district:
Dharmasala Block:
Garh Madhupur
Komagarh
Betaumadi
Antra
Pachukundi
Bharatpur
Gangutia
Kharilo
Srichandanpur
1. Grass table mat made with the coiling technique.
2. Grass footwear: new product development.
3. Process of coiling.
4. Detail of a variation in the coiling technique used for
making table mats and coasters.
5. The shape of the container derived from Jagannath
Temple is called devrapedhi.
Products
Table mats
Coasters
Straw hat
Baskets
Tray
Bags
Temple - shaped box
Lampshades
Tools
Needle
Scissors
Measuring tape
KATKI CHAPPAL - LEATHER FOOTWEAR
Women from the Moharana caste in Orissa make leather
footwear, which are known as katki chappal. They were
made to be worn on special social occasions but in
contemporary times, the chappal is also used for daily wear.
They do not have the straps or laces and are slip-ons. Floral
motifs are embroidered on the chappal with resham, silk
threads. The design of the chappal and the decoration has
remained the same over time.
Tools (from left) - sharpening stone, stitching awl, tag lifter,
skiving tool, pincer.
Production Cluster
Cuttack district:
Barang
Products
Slippers
Sandals
Shoes
Tools
Shoe last
Whetstone
Stitching awl
Tag lifter
Pincer
Measuring tape
The craft gets its name from Cuttack because it originated in
Dhadapatna village of the district, nearly 150 years ago. At the
time, they were plain without any embellishments, but
embroidery was introduced recently. Katki chappal are now
made only in Barang in the district. A unique feature of the
Katki chappal is that both parts of a pair can be worn on either
leg; there is no left or right side.
1. Lasts made for
making the katki
chappal
2. Embroidered
chappal or slip
ons worn and
used indoors.