Kendrapara: The bustling colonies of Golden Grass (Vetiver Zizanoids) craft persons of Jajhanga and Baro villages reflect their growth.
Golden Grass, known locally as ‘Kaincha’, is a wild grass found in Kendrapara and other areas. It grows to a height of about 5-6 feet, and the inflorescent stick, which appears after monsoon, is used for weaving.
The sincere efforts of the rural women and girls of Jajhanga and Baro has enabled Golden Grass products to come of age in the market. It has also become the first choice among people as it is eco-friendly.
Nowadays Golden Grass products are making waves and city folks are discovering its beauty as they are biodegradable.
Golden Grass products have empowered rural women and girls, and they have been earning sizable amounts through it. It has changed their lives, said Rinarani Mallick, an artisan who makes products with Golden Grass.
As Sandhyarani Nayak’s gnarled but dexterous fingers bind a Golden Grass cap there is a look of satisfaction on her face.
Adding to her satisfaction is the fact that she along with 1,200 other women of Jajhanga village and nearby areas have been making Golden Grass products and earning around Rs 3500 to Rs 4500 a month, said Sandhyarani Nayak, the Secretary of the Shiva Parvati production group.
Swarnalata Swain, 56, is the titular head of one of the women’s group of Jajhanga village, five km from Kendrapara, whose traditional occupation has been making Golden Grass caps, fans, baskets, toys and other items.
“We first formed a Self Help Group comprising 15 women in 2004 and developed the art of making Golden Grass products. Golden Grass hats, baskets, hand fans, table mats, flower pots, fruit baskets etc are made in Jajhanga,” said Swarnalata.
“A new concept of grass jewellery has also come from here. We make attractive jewellery and accessories like bags, key chains, hangers, tea set, waste basket, chocolate box, dining table mat, file covers, fruit basket, vegetable bowls, hand bags, ladies bags, household items and other things from Golden Grass,” added Parvati Swain.
The coloured Golden Grass fans with uniquely painted petals and bright hats, flower pots and other items made by the rural women of Jajhanga and Baro have given a new identity to them.
Today the demand for Golden Grass products have increased and this testifies to their quality, said Anambandhu Dhal, the Chairman of Kendrapara block.
“Golden Grass items are now designed for international buyers according to their tastes, but without divorcing it from ethnicity. This craft is centuries old. Since generations Golden Grass products like bowls, fans, mats etc have been used as utility items in many parts of the state. Women make these high quality craft items. This traditional craft has come down from generation to generation, said officials at the District Industry Centre (DIC).
“The DIC and NABARD provided skill training to hundreds of craft persons of Jajanga and Baro villages to make Golden Grass products,” stated Collector Dasarathi Satapathy.
Golden Grass artisans generally sell their goods at the state-level ORMAS mela, Handicrafts Fair, Swadeshi Fair, Craft Bazaar and national exhibitions. They also sell to dealers in their localities.
PNN
