Bamboo and cane crafts of Eastern India are environment friendly products which possess their individual features and style. They have successfully replaced the demand for wooden objects by producing various forms of utility and decorative artefacts. Bamboo and cane furniture of Eastern India are popular throughout the country, mainly due to their durability and sophisticated appearance. West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa are the East-Indian states which create manifold items of cane and bamboo.
Bamboo and Cane Crafts of West Bengal
`Mutra` cane is a unique type of cane produced in Cooch Behar, which is used to manufacture `shitalpati`, which are exclusive mats made from mutra cane and are termed as `cooling mats`. Great skill and artistry are required to join and interlace thin strips of Mutra cane to prepare these mats. These are also known as cool mats owing to their property of imparting coolness. These mats are fine and glossy, having a remarkable smoothness. North Bengal cane artisans prepare various shapes including twills, zigzags, checks, diamonds and several others on shitalpati. Such mats also contain patterns of leaves, humans or animal figurines and coloured in magenta. This region makes cane baskets which are utilized by local people for carrying bricks and stones. Cane panels deck up the homes of numerous village huts in North Bengal.
Many articles which act as domestic decoration and musical instruments like flute are also created by bamboo and cane craftsmen of West Bengal. There are various species of bamboo plant which grow extensively in this Indian state which are used by the local artisans to craft different kinds of artefacts. Sturdy bamboo poles act as construction materials in many portions of West Bengal. Bamboo containers, held together by cane strips are used to conserve measure and carry milk and oil in some parts of North Bengal. In the mountainous places of this state, bamboos are used as aqueducts which are meant for the purpose of carrying water. Cylindrical bamboo baskets found in these regions are used to store paddy. Bamboo and Cane Crafts of West Bengal are highly acclaimed due to its designs and intricate weaving techniques.
Bamboo and Cane Crafts of Bihar
Floor mats, wall-partitions, baskets, furniture, table mats, lanterns and lamps, water containers and innumerable other products are created by cane and bamboo, in the state of Bihar. The artisans are capable of crafting versatile items from cane and bamboo in Bihar, where this is an ancient craft, surviving since several generations. The tribal people of Chota Nagpur plateau weave different types of bamboo and cane baskets which are popular throughout the nation. The availability of raw materials, suitable weather, numerous artisans and land for bamboo agriculture have fastened the growth of the bamboo and cane crafts of Bihar. The artisans of Bihar make deft synthesis of Japanese techniques with the Indian tradition and given rise to a complete unique crafts of bamboo and cane. The `Bhotiyas`, who are tribes of the Trans-Himalayan region are skilled in the field of bamboo and cane artistry.
Bamboo and Cane Crafts of Jharkhand
Jharkhand prepares significant bamboo handicrafts which involve different forms of baskets, which are utilized for various purposes. Accessories used for daily activities are crafted mainly out of bamboo and cane.
Bamboo and Cane Crafts of Orissa
Vegetable strainers, baskets, rice containers, brooms, furniture and other items are made from bamboo and cane in Orissa. Other types of bamboo and cane crafts include musical instruments and construction materials for houses, toys and dolls and umbrella handles. Each district of Orissa weaves baskets in a different technique. Conical cane baskets are utilised for carrying while round bottomed baskets are used for preserving food or other things. The area of Ganjam in this state produces beautiful bamboo baskets. Local natives use them for storing betel nuts.
Cane and bamboo baskets, bamboo mats, lamp shades and different types of utensils are manufactured by the bamboo craftsmen. Handbags, small ladies purses and jewelleries are among the miscellaneous other items of cane and bamboo existent in these portions of India. These handicrafts are often displayed in numerous households in Eastern India on account of their rare aesthetic beauty. Various parts of North-Eastern India like Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Assam also encourage the production of bamboo and cane handicrafts.
