The art & skill of basket-making

Uligida, udigeballi, lakki gida, ichalugari — these are the names of some commonly available plants in some villages of Tumakuru. These plants are grown along the tank bunds and in wastelands, and are used as raw materials for baskets, mats, enclosures for domestic animals, and even roofing. Thus, though not cultivated, these plants form a source of additional income for many villagers.

Take for instance, Sanjeeva and his wife Bhootamma of Chennakeshavapura village. Bhootamma weaves mats, which are converted into boxes for packing tobacco leaves. These boxes are high in demand in nearby towns. Interestingly, Sanjeeva changes his profession every season. In the rainy season, he works in his own groundnut farm and also works as a daily wage labourer. During summer, basket making is the only source of income for him. Two decades ago, he was a hamali, working in the nearby town. It so happened that one day he saw people from the Koracha community weaving baskets from bamboo strips near the village bus stand. He then started making baskets from locally available materials from plants known to him and also taking help from other craftsmen of the village. Now he continues to be the most sought after basket-maker of Channakeshavapura.

Baskets are in great demand in agricultural occupation. Size and variety depends on the type of activity. For instance, to load harvested groundnut plants to a tractor, farmers use jalle (big basket) which is wide and big. Small baskets are used in areca nut processing. mainly to measure cut areca nuts. And bigger baskets are used to carry cooked areca nuts for drying. Medium-sized baskets are required for farmyard activities.

Sanjeeva has free access to these plants as they are found in abundance in the village. All he needs is to carry a good sickle, and a tall stick (jenige) attached with sickle to pluck leaves from toddy palm trees. The leaves are cut and gathered into bundles and brought home. The leaves are then neatly cut; the mid rib is cut into four or three or two segments, depending upon the thickness. Women use these leaves to make mats. 

The udigeballi plant has big thorns and so has to be removed. The long strips drawn from the plant is used to make enclosures for domestic animals and to build house walls. Uligida has long stems with knots, which are removed and sliced into long strips. The strips are assorted according to the strength and usage for weaving. Tatti (small baskets) are used for carrying food and vegetables. Devadaru tree and lakki gida (Vitex negundo) are used for making frames of baskets and also for gates.

“One needs to be slim and short for basket-making, especially while making frames, one needs to sit on it and pull in all the directions so that weaving will not bring any gaps. If not done properly, this kind of pulling may lead to abdominal pains,” says Sanjeeva.

In fact, Sanjeeva is gifted with the art and skill of making baskets. He earns around Rs 150 per day by making baskets. Unfortunately, the next generation is not showing interest in learning the skill and continuing the tradition.