Once Shital Pati was used in every house in Bengal. With the passage of time, the demand of the people has changed. So, nowadays Shital Pati has lost its charm. As a result, the weavers of Shital Pati at Delduar upazila in Tangail are going through a hard time.
Shital Pati is the traditional art of making a handcrafted mat by weaving together strips of a green cane known as Murta.
Delduar upazila is well-known for Shital Pati. The profession of the weavers of the artistic Shital Pati in this area are at risk. The weavers blamed lack of investment and cane, use of plastic products, market management and other factors for the crisis.
After visiting Hinganagar, Gaziabari, Atia, Nallapara and some other villages of Delduar Upazila recently, it was seen that some weavers were weaving mats at their houses, some others were cutting cane and some others were taking preparations to take their products at the markets. They were passing busy time. This year the sale was better than the last year due to the heatwave. A total of 400 to 500 families of the Upazila are involved with weaving Shital Pati.
At first they collect Murta plants from the forest area and then they prune those. After that they cut every Murta into three pieces and rest it in rice starch. Then the weavers boil the canes with the rice starch and water. Later, they clean the cane with water and dry it for weaving Shital Pati. Shital Pati is made with the upper part of the Murta.
Many designs are made on the mat (Shital Pati) with their weaving skills and work experience.
Many people think that the price of Shital Pati has not increased enough compared to the price of other products. So, the people involved with this art are facing several problems. It is possible to export Shital Pati in foreign countries if adequate loan is managed and proper market management are ensured.
Push Nandi, son of Ramkumar Nandi, resident of Hinganagar village, said he came to this occupation following his forefathers. We all are dependent on this. My uncles are also in this occupation. The mat market sits twice a week in Hinganagar village. We sell both wholesale and retail at the market. My son will not come to this occupation as there is no change of fate in this occupation. One of my sons is a service holder and another is a student.
A 62-year-old Shital Pati weaver, Khushi Nandi, son of Kali Nandi, said the number of weavers of Shital Pati is decreasing day by day. Earlier, no money was needed to get Murta. However, Murta needs to be bought now as the number of this plant is decreasing as well.
Shilpi Nandi, daughter of Jyoti Chandra Das, of Aultia village of Kalihati Upazila learnt weaving of Shital Pati from her father. Now, she is weaving Shital Pati at her in-laws’ house as well.
She said it takes two days to weave a Shital Pati. She does not get enough payment in return of her labour. There is a good demand of designed Shital Pati. The price of the designed Shital Pati is more as well. The price of 5 feet to 7 feet Shital Pati is Tk 2,500 to Tk 4,000. However, the small sized Shital Pati can be found at Tk 1,000.
Owner of Murta plant garden, Sridam Chandra Dey, said it takes three years to get a matured plant. After cutting the plants, he plants again. He is involved in this business in such way. He also weaves Shital Pati.
Mrittika Rani Nandi, another weaver, said this art of Shital Pati depends on the wholesalers. They take lease of Murta plant gardens and sell Murta to the weavers at a higher price. The weavers are poor and neglected.
Jyoti Chandra Das, a wholesaler of Kalihati, Jyoti Chandra Das, said there is less demand of Shital Pati in villages and towns. The demand will fall in the age of plastic mat electric fan or air conditioner. However, the weaving of Shital Pati will not be stopped. Weavers get Tk 250 to Tk 300 payment for a Shital Pati.
Moreover, there are other costs such buying of cane and so on. It is very difficult to get loan from the commercial banks and private development organisations as there is no proper management for the marketing of Shital Pati. Shital Pati can be found at the weekly markets of Hinganagar. The weekly markets sit twice a week, on every Friday and Saturday. The wholesalers buy Shital Pati from the market and sell them to different places of the country.
