Mahishyas, the weavers of Midnapore in the south part of West Bengal are expert in weaving the most admired mats Madur. Weaving is done on a simple frame of bamboo. Warpped with cotton thread and the weft is a thin spongy reed known as madur kathi.
Midnapore craftsmen create three kind of madur mats.
These are ak rokha which are light madur kathi weft. Dui rokha is thicker and is more appropriate and comfy and both are easily portable. Masland is a textured mat on which the craftsmen design geometrical patterns on the borders. These designs are painted with the shade of magenta.
The craftsmen of West Bengal design coiled baskets.
The warp and the weft are made to mingle in various ways. A design of twill is achieved by the skilled crafts-person. Coiled baskets are prepared with a tall flowering grass known as Keshe or Kash. Basketry craft is done for generations together.
Palm leaf mats are very brilliantly designed at IIambazar, Birbhum by the women folks. These mats have colourful geometrical motif and coloured with green, blue and magenta.
