Golden grass craft has finally come of age and finds a place in the market, thanks to the sincere efforts of at least 60 women and girls of Nalipur, Balichandrapur, Nanapur, Sisua, Jenapur and adjoining areas here.
locally as Kaincha, the wild grass is found in many parts of the district. It grows to a height of about 5-6 feet and the inflorescent stick, which appears after the monsoon, is used for weaving.
Now-a-days, the golden grass is making waves and more and more city dwellers are discovering the beauty of the golden grass products as they are eco-friendly, biodegradable and reduce the use of plastic.
Craftsperson Bijayalaxmi Swain, while binding a golden grass cap, was looking elated. It was due to the fact that she along with 70 women of Nanpur village was into golden grass making and eking out their livelihood out of the job. At 50, Swarnalata Swain is the titular head of a women group of Balichandrapur, whose traditional vocation has been making and selling golden grass caps, fans, baskets, toys and other items.
“We formed a Self Help Group in 2004 comprising 15 women and developed the art of making golden grass craft items. Golden grass hats, baskets, hand fans, tablemats and flower pots etc are now well known and in great demand,” said Swarnalata.
“A new concept of grass jewellery has come from here, where we make attractive and designer jewellery and other accessory items like bags, key chains and other items from the golden grass,” added Swarnalata.
“Indeed, the coloured golden grass fans with uniquely –painted petals and bright golden grass hats, flower pots and other items speak of fine craftsmanship. Today the demand for golden grass crafts has increased which testifies to their beauty, utility and lasting quality,” said the assistant manager of Jajpur branch of NABARD.
“Now golden craft items are redesigned for the international buyers according to their taste and preference, but not detaching it from the ethnicity. The origin of this craft as it is in the case of other art and crafts is centuries’ old. Since generations golden grass items like bowls, fans and mats etc have been used as utility items in many parts of the State. Women during their leisure time prepare these high quality craft items at a common place. This traditional craft has transcended down from generation to generation,” said the general manager of District Industry Center (DIC) of Jajpur.
Thanks to a spurt in demand for golden grass crafts, the bustling colonies of golden craft-persons of many villages today reflect their economy has grown. Even the lanes and by lanes of the areas reflect the change that has come about.