Stamp of tradition

A TOTAL sense of harmony of design, colour and weave pervades the legendary Pattamadai `pattu pais' or mats on view at an exhibition which opens at `Amethyst' today.

Woven out of wild ``korai'' grass, with distinctive contemporary and traditional designs on its beige-coloured surface, each of the `pais' on display is a tribute to superior craftsmanship. The exhibition has been put together by FACES, an NGO which works with the weavers of Pattamadai.

At the Amethyst exhibition, the `pattu pais' are impeccably woven with stripes in contrasting shades of blue and deep brown. Stripes which are such an attractive feature of the traditional mats have been interspersed with fields or panels of delicate check-like patterns.

They are perfect as floor mats, wall hangings, and divan covers. Plain mats with coloured woven stripes of varying thickness are also available.

Minimalistic in design and concept, they show to great advantage the stunning woven textured body of the mat.

The mats come in various sizes, from tiny squares to three ft. by six ft. floor covers and small wall hangings. And yes, they can be folded and put into one's pocket!

The exhibition of Pattamadai superfine mats will be on at `Amethyst', 17, Sundar Mahal, Rani Padmavathy Road, Jeypore Colony, till October 25.

PUSHPA CHARI

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