Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal

Madhur Kathi Mat (Madur / Masland mats)

Madur, or Madhur Kathi, is a handwoven mat made from the soft madur kathi reed (korai grass) that grows in the riverine marshes of the Medinipur region, woven on a simple bamboo frame with cotton thread and coloured with vegetable dyes. The craft is centred on Sabang and 242 villages across Sabang, Pingla, Narayangarh, Dantan I and Debra Keshiary blocks, with thousands of Mahishya weavers, mostly women, in the trade. A superfine variant called Masland or Mataranchi, once produced under royal patronage, is still woven by a few traditional families in Sabang and commands the highest prices. The craft received a GI tag in 2018, and buyers get floor mats, prayer mats, wall hangings, table runners and placemats that are fully natural and sustainable.

Typical price: ₹150-8000

Buying tip: Buy straight from weavers' villages around Sabang or through GI-tagged Madur Kathi online stores if you cannot visit. For a premium piece ask for the fine Masland/Mataranchi weave and check that the colours are vegetable-dyed.