Says Kokila, “There’s not even one tree in town.“The Black Church” premieres on PBS, February 16 and 23 Interestingly, Pulicat is devoid of palm trees. “They can also buy them on loan through the Society,” she adds. Kokila explains how they are sourced from the surrounding areas such as Gummidipoondi. 30,” she explains.įor the members, the palm leaves are their investment. “Initially, when the Society was formed, some 30 women were trained to weave baskets for a monthly income of Rs. She travels extensively, marketing their products. She is now the face of the palm leaf artisans of Pulicat to the outside world. “I started out as a member, learning to make the baskets myself,” she recalls. Widowed at a young age, Kokila’s life has been defined by her work at the Society. Their children come there after school - Kokila’s granddaughter has come there with her school bag. The Society, the palm leaf craft hotspot in Pulicat, is like a second home for the members. “Almost every woman in my neighbourhood sits to weave palm leaves after all the cooking is done at home,” offers Thamin Bheevi. She learned to weave palm leaves from her mother Thamin Bheevi, who in turn learnt it from her mother. Look at how I’m rambling now,” laughs Fatima. “Earlier, I would never open my mouth in front of a stranger. Palm leaf craft has changed the way they look at the world. “It’s this craft that has taken care of their education all these years,” she smiles. The 32-year-old is a widow with little children to fend for. “This will be left out to dry for a few minutes and can be used to weave,” she explains. Water bubbles in a trough on an induction stove nearby, which will be used to dye the palm leaves.Īyisha dunks a tuft of leaves into the water and lifts them seconds later once they are completely coated in colour. Fatima, Thamin Bheevi and Ayisha have just completed work on a bunch of sunshine-yellow baskets. Several localities in Pulicat have been witness to the craft that has been handed down for generations.Īt the asbestos-roofed Pulicat Interpretation Centre of the AARDE Foundation, a non-profit architecture and design service organisation, S. When the town gets sleepy towards the late afternoon, its palm leaf artisans come alive. “We have 315 members in our society, of which 115 are active,” explains Jalka, the president. Their products have been exported to places such as the U.K., China, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and Dubai and find takers across the State Chennai too has several craft shops that stock their ware. The women, many of whom are from the fisher folk community, have mastered the craft from within the confines of their home. Palm leaf products have been silently driving the economy of Pulicat. “Many of them also weave baskets at home and bring them to us to be marketed,” she adds. “They come to the Society at around 3 p.m., once all their household chores are done,” she says. Kokila, the purchase assistant at the Society. In combinations of pink, green, blue, red, and yellow, palm leaves are being woven into baskets, pencil boxes, fruit and jewellery boxes, pen stands, rattles and coasters by women in the locality since 1959, according to V. The seashore town, famous for its fort, prawns and flamingos, has been churning out colourful palm leaf artefacts for several decades now. Their hands weave magic inside the sweltering building of the Pulicat Women Palm leaf, Cane and Bamboo Allied Products Society. The women sit with their feet outstretched, chattering away.
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