People & Culture Culture & Stories

Meet Madur Kathi One of the Oldest Crafts of Bengal Made from Merely Grass

A humble mat made of grass. A craft older than memory. What makes this everyday item a cultural icon of Bengal? The story might surprise you.

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Tiyasa Das
New Update
Madur Kathi

There’s something quietly poetic about Bengal’s connection to its land—the way rivers curve through its fields, how monsoons arrive like old friends, and how art is never too far from everyday life. One such art form, deeply woven into Bengal’s fabric—both literally and metaphorically—is Madur weaving. These humble floor mats, or Madur Kathi, have lived through centuries, tucked under countless feet, spread under prayer lamps, or carried on film sets to symbolise home. But Madur isn’t just a mat; it’s a way of life passed down in rhythm with the reeds that grow by Medinipur’s marshes. More than an item of convenience, it holds within its threads a sense of history, identity, and community.

Woven Roots: The Craft and Its Carriers

Madur Kathi 2

The art of Madurkathi weaving dates back to ancient times, echoing stories from the Indus Valley and finding footing during Bengal’s Muslim period. The term “masland”, the most ornate variety, comes from the Persian masnad—a throne—a reminder of when mats were luxurious offerings collected as royal revenue under the Jaigirdari system. Fast forward to the British era, and Medinipur had become a bustling centre of mat-making, with over 600 skilled weavers producing hundreds of thousands of mats annually. Some, like the famed Raghunathbari masland mats, were sold at Rs. 100—a hefty price at the time—indicating not only value but reverence.

At the heart of this tradition lies Cyperus pangorei, the reed known as madur kottir, thriving in Medinipur’s flood-prone lands. When farming is difficult, this reed offers sustenance—both literally and economically. Predominantly woven by women of the Mahishya caste, these mats are crafted with remarkable skill on simple bamboo looms. The warp is made of cotton thread, while the weft is the reed itself—interwoven patiently to produce three main types:

  • Ekh‑rokha (single-reed, light),

  • Do‑rokha (double-reed, durable), and

  • Masland (decorative, intricate).

The process involves harvesting the reed twice a year, washing, drying, and sometimes dyeing it using natural elements—haritaki fruit for black, and annatto for red. The dyeing, done over 10 to 24 hours, is itself a traditional knowledge system kept alive through generations. In modern years, weavers like Tapas Jana have been awarded at the national level for preserving the authenticity of this craft. His efforts—and those of the many women artisans who weave from home—have helped keep the legacy not only intact but evolving with time.

Carrying the Craft Forward: Five Brands Keeping the Looms Alive

Bhumikart


Offering Madurkathi mats rooted in traditional techniques, Bhumikart blends heritage with eco-conscious values. Each piece reflects handwoven elegance using vegetable dyes, perfect for rustic yet sustainable living.

GITAGGED


GITAGGED curates authentic handicrafts, and their Madur Kathi collection is woven with cotton thread and soft madur grass. Their use of heritage patterns and dyeing methods brings a visual richness while promoting biodegradable design.

Nainsouk


From coasters and yoga mats to pouch bags, Nainsouk reimagines Madurkathi for modern needs. Their collection begins at Rs. 150, making sustainable choices more accessible for contemporary households.

Artisan Soul


Sourced directly from artisans in Medinipur’s Sartla region, Artisan Soul’s mats uphold the legacy of grassroots weaving while offering handcrafted items that echo old Bengal’s charm in modern form.

Kopai-Paar


A cultural confluence of craft and community, Kopai-Paar’s Madur Kathi collection extends beyond mats to include home décor and accessories, all handwoven with a consciousness of tradition and sustainability.

One Mat Many Stories

In many Bengali films, a Madur mat is not just a prop—it’s a symbol. Be it a village courtyard welcome or a scene of quiet reflection, these mats embody simplicity, groundedness, and warmth. But their presence is fading. Today, plastic mats—cheap, easy to clean, and mass-produced—have cornered much of the market. While convenient, they slowly erode the value of something much more meaningful. A Madurkathi mat is sweat-absorbing, non-conductive, biodegradable, and culturally resonant.

Choosing it over plastic isn’t just about aesthetics or nostalgia; it’s about choosing to keep a living tradition alive. When you roll out a Madur mat, you're not just laying down a piece of decor. You're unfurling generations of skill, the rhythm of rural Bengal, and the spirit of women who’ve kept this art going against the odds.

madur kottir Raghunathbari masland mats Madur weaving Madur Kathi