Prathama Srsti

The History: Over 800 Years of Women-Led Craftsmanship

​

Kerala, famously cherished as "God's Own Country," is a lush landscape shaped by endless water bodies and vibrant greenery. Growing wild and abundant along these coastal marshes, rivers, and backwaters is the Screw Pine (Pandanus), locally known as Thazha.

For over 800 years, the art of weaving these long, blade-like leaves has been a highly respected cottage industry in Kerala, pioneered almost entirely by rural women. What began as a vital household activity—weaving robust sleeping mats and natural fences—blossomed into one of Kerala’s most iconic, eco-friendly handicrafts. In traditional Keralite hospitality, handwoven screw pine mats (Thazhappaya) were considered prestigious articles, offered exclusively to honored guests as a mark of respect.

Today, this delicate craft primarily thrives across three heritage clusters: Thazhava (Kollam district), Kodungallur (Thrissur district), and Thalayolaparambu (Ernakulam district).

​

The Craftsmanship: A Masterclass in Fiber Transformation

 

Turning raw, spiky leaves into soft, shimmering textiles requires immense physical endurance and absolute precision:

 

The 5 Stages of Production

1. Harvesting & De-thorning: Twice a year, before the monsoons, weavers harvest mature, flexible leaves. The most grueling task is removing the razor-sharp thorns lining the leaf margins and the central midrib using a simple knife or nylon fiber.
    

2. Rolling & Seasoning (Madi): The stripped leaves are curled into tight rolls called Madi and sun-dried until they transition from green to a beautiful, natural ivory hue.
    

3. Splicing into Fibers (Poli): The dried leaves are unrolled and split lengthwise into fine, uniform weaving strips (Poli) using a specialized wooden tool fitted with multiple sharp blades.
    

4. Dyeing the Strands: The strips are boiled in hot water for 30 minutes to open their natural pores, allowing them to absorb pigments evenly. While traditional weavers historically used natural roots and leaves, modern artisans utilize vibrant, water-soluble dyes to achieve rich, long-lasting colors.
    

5. Diagonal Weaving: Using a complex four-warp technique, artisans hand-plait the fibers diagonally. They interlock the borders to produce tightly packed, seamless mats that boast incredible structural durability.

 

Designing the Final Product: For advanced utility products like storage boxes or coasters, the handwoven mats are cut using precise stencils, reinforced with internal cardboards, bound with machine stitching, and finished by manually stitching the edges with ultra-fine, needle-threaded screw pine strands.

​

The Product: Modern, Eco-Conscious Utility

​

What started as simple floor mats has evolved into an expansive collection of over 100 contemporary lifestyle and home decor essentials:

​

• Dining & Kitchenware: Beautifully woven table runners, heat-resistant coasters, fruit baskets, and spice boxes.

• Fashion & Storage: Textured handbags, elegant clutches, file holders, multi-use storage containers, and jewelry boxes.

• Home Accent: Sophisticated lampshades, customized cushion covers, and wall hangings.

The Renaissance: Replacing Plastic with Nature

 

A Craft Worth Saving

Because screw pine weaving is incredibly time-consuming—taking up to 15 days to complete a single-layered mat—low wages have driven the younger generation toward modern careers.

However, as the world actively rejects single-use plastics, the demand for natural, 100% biodegradable, and stylish alternatives is surging. With the introduction of modern design interventions, semi-mechanized technical support, and fair wages, we can prevent this heritage from fading.

​

Welcome Nature Into Your Home

In 2015, the Screw Pine Craft of Kerala was officially awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) Tag (Class 27), guaranteeing its unique geographical and climatic authenticity.

​

At Prathama Srsti, we bring these masterfully woven, GI-certified creations directly from the artisan cooperatives of Kerala. When you purchase a screw pine product, you aren't just choosing a beautiful, sustainable alternative to household plastic—you are actively participating in the economic empowerment of rural women and preserving a centuries-old coastal legacy.