{"id":5919,"date":"2025-12-11T10:11:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T10:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/?page_id=5919"},"modified":"2025-12-11T16:02:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T16:02:49","slug":"straw-craft","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/straw-craft\/","title":{"rendered":"Straw Craft – Kerala"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Craft Name: Straw Craft (Straw Weaving \/ Paddy Straw Art)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Region: Kerala (notably in districts like Alappuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Kottayam)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

CRAFT
\nHISTORY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStraw Craft in Kerala\u2014locally known as \u201cNellu Tholikkal\u201d or Paddy Straw Art\u2014is a traditional practice that dates back several centuries. Originating in agrarian communities, the craft emerged as a creative reuse of rice straw (paddy straw) after harvest. Historically, women artisans used straw to decorate household items, religious artefacts, and festive d\u00e9cor. The craft later evolved into more sophisticated forms of wall art, dolls, utility products, coasters, mats, and floral motifs, especially during Onam celebrations.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

WHAT\nMAKES IT\nUNIQUE:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n
  • Eco-friendly & Sustainable: Entirely made from natural paddy straw collected from rice fields.<\/li>\n
  • Zero-waste craft: Utilizes agricultural leftovers that would otherwise be burned.<\/li>\n
  • Hand-cut & hand-layered: Every design is manually cut, arranged, and pasted\u2014making each piece unique.<\/li>\n
  • Reflects Kerala’s agrarian culture: Motifs draw from temple art, festivals, flora & fauna of the state.
    \n Naturally golden colour: The warm straw hue gives an elegant, minimalist aesthetic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \"\"<\/figure>

    Received a
    GI tag in 2023<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    COLOURS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • Predominantly natural golden shades of dried straw<\/li>
    • Light brown, beige, off-white. Occasional use of natural dyes: red, green, black (for contrast or detailing)<\/li><\/ul>

      How much time does it take to make a product, and how many artisans are involved in the process?<\/strong>
      Depending on size, detail, and layering complexity, a straw craft piece takes 3\u201310 days and typically 2\u20133 artisans work on a single piece.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      MOTIFS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n
      • Kathakali faces <\/li>\n
      • Animals & Birds<\/li>\n
      • Floral patterns<\/li>\n
      • Scenes from village life<\/li>\n
      • Temple art motifs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t

        RAW MATERIAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n
        • Paddy straw (rice straw)<\/li>\n
        • Natural dyes (optional)<\/li>\n
        • Scissors, blades, and fine cutting tools<\/li>\n
        • Tweezers for layering<\/li>\n
        • Cardboard or handmade paper base<\/li>\n
        • Adhesives (gum, resin glue)<\/li>\n
        • Varnish for preservation<\/li>\n
        • Frames (for wall art)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          CRAFT MAKING PROCESS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"form\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          HOW TO IDENTIFY GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC CRAFT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
            \n \t
          • Natural straw texture: Authentic craft uses real paddy straw with visible natural fibres.<\/li>\n \t
          • Hand-layered detail: No printed patterns\u2014each design shows slight variations in straw placement.<\/li>\n
          • Organic golden tone: Real straw has a warm golden or light-brown shade, not artificial gloss.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
              \n \t
            • Visible layering: Genuine pieces show hand-laid straw strips that create depth and texture.<\/li>\n \t
            • Lightweight feel: Real straw products are lightweight but sturdy, especially when framed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Craft Name: Straw Craft (Straw Weaving \/ Paddy Straw Art) Region: Kerala (notably in districts like Alappuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Kottayam) CRAFT HISTORY Straw Craft in Kerala\u2014locally known as \u201cNellu Tholikkal\u201d or Paddy Straw Art\u2014is a traditional practice that dates back several centuries. Originating in agrarian communities, the craft emerged as a creative reuse of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5919","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5919"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5919\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6490,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5919\/revisions\/6490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}