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CRAFT DOCUMENTATION
Kayar
This craft document is dedicated to the art of coir making, known in certain regions as "kayar." Within these pages, we delve into the techniques, traditions, and cultural significance of working with coconut husk fibers. The document preserves and shares the rich heritage of coir, ensuring that this ancient craft remains a source of inspiration and admiration.
KAYAR, is an appreciation of the artistry, sustainability, and enduring legacy of coir making, paying homage to the skilled artisans who have nurtured this remarkable craft throughout history.
This document is based on our research done on the craft of coir making, practiced across India, especially the southern region of India.
The research was conducted in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Textile and Apparel department of NID AP for their invaluable guidance and support during the course of this project. Our sincere thanks go to Mr. Arnab Senapati and Mr. Bhoomaiah Bandi for their generous assistance and facilitation, that has been instrumental in our documentation journey.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Central Coir Research Institute, Alappuzha, for their invaluable guidance and support throughout this project. Special thanks to Mr. Rupesh and Dr. Radhakrishnan for generously providing us with all the information about the history and development of the craft
Mr. M V Pavitran & Mrs. Subashini Pavitran
Ms. Marykutty
Since the document is quite elaborate, this page provides a condensed overview of the documented processes within the comprehensive coir-making book. The vivid life and intricacies of the craft are well preserved within the pages. This brief summary serves as a window into the vivid tapestry of coir making, and we hope it sparks your curiosity about the craft and the craftsmen.
The following processes have been documented from the Kerala Coir Mats and Mattings Cooperative society no 346, Alleppey Small Scale Matt and Mattings Co operative Society No A743, Minimol Shankaran's house in Chertala
Main processes include-
Rope making
Dyeing
Matt and Matting weaving
Geo textile weaving
Documented at Cherthala
Minimol, carefully aligns and twists using a twisting tool. The twisted fibers are then spun together by one hand, taking the help of a mini motor, (attached to a pole) to help speed up the process. The length and thickness of the rope are carefully controlled. Once spun, the short strands are interlaced with each other, forming an endless thread.
Documented at KCMMCS no 346
Jayram and Marykutty, immerse the bundles of rope into a dye bath containing the desired dye solution. The process follows a traditional method, utilizing an aluminum vessel known as "Chembu" that can hold up to 60 kg of yarn and 30 kg of fiber. The rope is thoroughly soaked and agitated to ensure uniform color absorption. The duration of immersion and agitation may range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the desired color intensity. After dyeing, the rope is rinsed to eliminate any excess dye and left to naturally air dry.
After the process of dyeing, the yarns go through the process of warping, using a sectional warp drum.
The lengths of mattings vary between 30-50meters
Most common weaves for mattings are: Plain weave, twill weave and basket weave, with drafting order- 1, 2, 3, 4 and treadling order- 1, 2 and 34, 14, 12, 23.
The mats taken out of the loom undergo squaring, tying, binding, stitching, tucking, and shearing process, followed by final clipping by Iqbal at KCMMCS 346.
While the mattings undergo the clipping process.
Documented at Alleppey Small Scale Mat and Mattings Co operative Society No A743
The unit is managed by Mr. M V Pavitran, is one of the biggest units for production of geo textile.
The rolls vary between 4-5 meters of width and 25-50 meters in length
“Birakh basai, panchhi nahin, dudh det, nahin gai; Teen nain, Sankar nahin, deejai vasthu batai”
Ahuja Siddharth. Ahuja Uma. Asian Agri-History Vol. 18, No. 3, 2014.
To get the full document, mail: Mimansa.arora.work@gmail.com
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