Kora grass mat
Grass Work
History
Kora mats, also known as Pattamadai mats, have been woven for generations, though their exact origins are unclear. Syed Khalifa Meeran introduced the craft to Pattamadai, and his descendants refined it by soaking korai grass in the Thamirabharani River to enhance its strength. This innovation led to the creation of soft, flexible mats with high thread counts (100–140), a major advancement from the earlier 20-count mats, making them famous for their fine quality.
Raw Materials and Tools
Korai grass is the primary raw material, traditionally sourced from the Thamirabharani River. Natural dyes from plants like sappan trees create colors like black, brown, red, and green. Tools include knives for splitting stems, scrapers for removing the central pith, and looms for weaving.
Process
Korai grass is soaked in running water to soften, then cleaned, split, and scraped to remove the pith. The longer it soaks, the finer the strands. Once dried, artisans, mostly women, weave and dye the mats according to traditional patterns, completing the labor-intensive process in about a month.
Design and Color
Pattamadai mats hold deep cultural significance, often featuring the names of brides and grooms woven into their fine texture for wedding ceremonies. Their elegance and sustainability have been celebrated in songs and films. Unique to Pattamadai, these mats are crafted using a special type of korai grass from the Thamirabharani River.
Product Range
Mats