Elongated linear forms of bamboo and cane with its eternally natural essence adorn any space with the spirit of vitality which is inherent in the materials. Bamboo and cane are universally known for their flexible yet sturdy quality. Lightweight, elegant basket and containers, soothing tunes of musical instruments, earthy chic mats and varied range of accessories, flaunts the grace of the material along with inventiveness of the creator.
The universal technique of basketry and mat making practiced by the tribals in parts of Gujarat exude design sensibility of the artisans expressed in the simplest vocabulary. Natural dry bamboo or cane is split into required widths and the pieces are woven together usually with the warp approaching out from the central base. Shapes and sizes of the baskets or containers vary according to the functionality of the product yet each work of creation exudes the playful nature of the material. The functional design of the basket focuses on the fact that it is used mainly by pastoral communities in rural areas and hence has a broader base with less depth, to be carried on the head.
Mats woven with dexterous imagination are locally used by the tribals and people belonging to the rural areas as a floor spread. These mats not only are portable and easy to carry but also serve as ecologically designed spreads for yoga or meditation. The simplicity and exclusivity of these mats add in a touch of ethnicity to any space it adorns while bringing one close to the mischievous sway of a bamboo grove.
In contemporary field of design bamboo and cane also play a key role in architectural structures and space design. Modern day innovations of the urban designers have introduced a range of cane and bamboo furniture, accessories for living spaces and many other products to meet the urban need of the day. Advancement in technology also keeps introducing new methods to create products for varied purposes from the materials.
Traditional Trivia
Bamboo and cane along with many other natural resources form an integral part of livelihood and way of living in tribal as well as pastoral Gujarat. In the state, naturally there is an abundance of wild bamboo and almost 22 species of the plant find home in this region. The coherent relationship of Bamboo and the indigenous tribal communities go back to the age of bows and arrows and in Gujarat it can also be traced from the impressions of woven mat found on stones at the Indus Valley Sites.
The alliance and significance of the material can also be recognized by the name of Gancha community who professionally work with bamboo medium and derive their identity from Gancha which means bamboo. Vansda an area of Gujarat has been named after the dense bamboo grove of the region and is traditionally known by another local name of bamboo that is Vaans.
Native inhabitants of the forest areas utilize the universal material for varied purposes ranging from making baskets for carrying goods to containers for storage purposes, mats for sleeping to bonded structures for fencing. Most of the products designed and constructed by the natives were mainly for agrarian communities and their needs. With the growing interest of the urban population in this medium government bodies as well various institutions have initiated developmental and design innovation projects in this area.
Community Involved
Gancha and Kotawalia communities practice this craft form.
Raw Materials Used
- Bamboo
- Cane