Traditional Artifacts from Bena Grass [Chrysopogon Zizanioides (L.) Roberty] (Poaceae) in Jajpur District of Odisha, India

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 13 (4), October 2014, pp. 771-777

Traditional artifacts from Bena grass [Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty] (Poaceae) in Jajpur district of Odisha, India

BK Tripathy1, T Panda2 & RB Mohanty3* 1Department of Botany, Dharmasala Mohavidyalaya, Dharmasala, Jajpur-755001, Odisha; 2Department of Botany, Chandabali College, Chandabali, Bhadrak-756133, Odisha; 3Department of Botany, NC (Autonomous) College, Jajpur – 755001, Odisha E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Received 27.06.13, revised 19.08.13

The paper reports the utility of a common wetland plant Bena in traditional craft making in some rural pockets of Jajpur district of Odisha. The field survey was conducted during the year 2010-2012 to access the present status of this unique plant based craft as well as the condition of the artisans involved in this craft making. Data were collected through interview with elderly artisans of the area of study. The result revealed that making artifacts from Bena is exclusively the hand work of female folk belonging to SC (Scheduled caste) and ST (Scheduled tribe) communities. Most of these artisans are either daily wage labourers or marginal farmers while making such craft is their secondary occupation. They collect the raw material, i.e. Bena stem from the nearby field, process it and make around two hundred varieties of attractive craft items both for traditional use in socio-religious rituals and as modern life style accessories. These artifacts are appreciated for their intricate design and glazing golden yellow colour. The existing conditions of this folk craft as well as the artisans were analysed. Some remedial measures are suggested to save this endangered craft from oblivion.

Keywords: Traditional artifacts, Bena grass, Jajpur district IPC Int. Cl.8: D01-D07, A01G, A01N, A01D 57/24, A01K 36/00

Artifacts are the products of man’s imagination and In Odisha, there are a few reports15-17 regarding the workmanship of pre-historic origin. These are multiple uses of some wetland plants while there is no manmade objects from the raw materials of plant, information on the use of Bena grass in the animal and other non-living sources available in his preparation of artifacts. surroundings. The artisans living in the existing Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty syn. traditional societies are normally influenced by the Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, commonly known elements of their environment as well as by their as vetiver (derived from Tamil word: ெவேவ myths, legends, rituals, ceremonies, festivals, social vettiver) is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family, organizations and cultural norms which are reflected native to India. It is also common and gregarious in in their creations. As a result, each culturally definable open swampy ground, low lands, rice fields, canals, region has developed distinctive characteristics of margins of ponds and in other unattended water its own in the field of creative art and craft glorifying 1-11 bodies of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the heritage of that locality . But, there are few other South East Asian countries. In western and scientific studies on numerous varieties of art and northern India, it is popularly known as khus. Vetiver craft materials still created by the artisans and crafts can grow up to 1.5 m high and form wide clumps. men in the country sides all over the world. Of course The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin, and researches carried out by some investigators provide rather rigid; the flowers are brownish-purple. Unlike information on artifacts made by tribal and rural most grasses, which form horizontally spreading, mat- people in different countries12 and also in the Indian like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, subcontinent13. But any comprehensive and exclusive 2–4 m in depth. Vetiver is most closely related study on this aspect is yet to be done in our country14. to Sorghum but shares many morphological ——————— characteristics with other fragrant grasses, such *Corresponding author as lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), citronella 772 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO 4, OCTOBER 2014

(Cymbopogon nardus, C. winterianus), and palmarosa Baitarani along with their branches criss-cross the (Cymbopogon martinii). Though it originates in India, district forming numerous wetlands and water bodies vetiver is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of including small river systems, creeks, reservoirs, the world. Major producers of this species include ponds, marshes, swamps and flood plains. In fact, the Haiti, India, Java, and Réunion Island. The most total wetland area of Jajpur is around 15714 hectares commonly used commercial genotypes of vetiver are which is 2.3% of the total geographic area of the sterile (do not produce fertile seeds), and because district. These wetlands are rich in plant resources. vetiver propagates itself by small offsets instead of Bena grass is a common species in these wetlands and underground stolons, these genotypes are noninvasive also a common weed in the flood plains and rice and can easily be controlled by cultivation of the fields of the district. soil. However, care must be taken, because fertile Jajpur is a place of ancient civilization and a place genotypes of vetiver have become invasive. Vetiver of religio-cultural importance. It is a prominent Shakti is grown worldwide for perfumery, agriculture, Khetra in eastern India with Goddess Biraja as the and bioengineering has been shown by DNA presiding deity. It has also a number of prominent fingerprinting to be essentially the same non-fertile Buddhist remains of the Bhaumakara period (8th-9th cultigens (Figs. 1 & 2). century AD), which indicates that, this area has been a Bena has multipurpose uses in India from the down place of human habitation since ancient times. of the civilization. The plant which is native to India The district has an area of 2899 sq km; divided into is an eco-friendly soil binder18, the roots are used as 10 community development blocks, 06 Tahasils and flavouring agent and the source of essential oil used one Subdivision. It has a total human population of as perfume19-20, woven in to mats called Khas Khas 16.24 lakhs living in 1575 villages, out of which the are used as door and window curtain, dried culms as scheduled caste and scheduled tribe comprise 22.99% brooms and for thatching houses while the pulp of the and 7.76%, respectively of the total27. All the blocks whole plant is used as raw material for making of the district are rural based and the majority of the paper and straw board21. In traditional medicine, people engaged with this craft making belong to people use different parts of vetiver for treating mouth Dharmasala and Barchana blocks. The artisans are ulcer, boils, epilepsy, burns, snake bite, scorpion economically backward; most of them are either daily sting, rheumatism, fever, headache, etc.22-23. Another wage labourers or marginal farmers while making interesting use of Bena is its utility in making such craft materials is their secondary occupation. attractive artifacts in India24 and many other Proceeds from the sale of Bena based handicraft countries25 from ancient period (Figs. 3-24). supplement their income. Although a lot of interest and scientific study on this wild grass has been done for its role in soil Methodology conservation and environmental protection26 use of For the study 11(eleven) villages of Dharmasala vetiver for making craft objects are not properly block namely Kamagada, Betamali, Bharatpur, Antia, looked into. Hence, this project was proposed and Gengutia, Panchakundi, Kharilo, Srichandanpur, undertaken to extensively survey some rural pockets Baunsa anta, Krushnapur and Brahmapur and another of Jajpur where the people are engaged in making this 03 villages, i.e. Palai, Balichandrapur and Panchupandav plant based craft traditionally focusing on its origin, of Badachana block where Bena grass is a common evolution, present status and future prospects not aquatic plant and used in making craft materials were studied and reported earlier. selected after collecting relevant prior information through a pilot survey. Field study was conducted Study site during the period from 2010-2012 with a frequency of The Jajpur district of Odisha (20033’N – 21010’N thrice a year, i.e. in July, October and February latitude and 85040’E – 86044’E Longitude) is coinciding with the flowering period of the plant, surrounded by Keonjhar district in the North, Cuttack time of collection of raw material and craft making, in the South, Bhadrak in the East and Dhenkanal etc. Each visit extended for a minimum period of district in the West. This district has 25% hilly area 4-5 days for field observation, meeting and interaction while the riverine and deltaic plains occupy the with artisans and for collection of other relevant rest 75%. Two main rivers the Brahmani and the information.

TRIPATHY et al.: USE OF BENA GRASS AS AN ARTIFACTS 773

Figs. (1-12)—1-Bena grass in natural habitat; 2-Bena bush with flowering stock; 3-Artisans at work; 4- Artisan at work-close view; 5-Kuanra Pasara; 6-Puja Gua Pedi; 7-Phula Changudi; 8-Ornament box; 9-Jhulana, Traditional door hanging; 10- A flower vase; 11- Glass & pot covers; 12- Fruit tray 774 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO 4, OCTOBER 2014

Figs. (13—22) 13-Decorative wall hanging; 14-Door curtain; 15-Pen stand; 16-Light stand; 17-Mobile/Phone stand; 18-Ladies purse; 19-Ladies vanity bag; 20-Necklace; 21-Decorative ashtray; 22-Toy cart model; 23-Some finished products; 24-Products in exhibition stall

TRIPATHY et al.: USE OF BENA GRASS AS AN ARTIFACTS 775

The elderly artisans and team leaders of each group festival in October), Brata Pedi (a small box for in different villages were identified and interviewed storing holy thread), Puja Gua Pedi (a box for storing extensively during the survey. Some basic field tools holy Areca nut used in rituals) or Bhalukuni bhoga like map of the area, Identity card, permission letter Pasara (a medium size container used in Goddess from the local authority, field notebook, pen, camera, Bhalukuni worship in September) are prepared for use tape recorder, pocket lens, etc. were used during the in particular socio-religious rituals and functions participatory rural appraisal process to collect the (Figs. 5, 6 & 7). Modern life style accessories such as data. Questionnare28 was used to gather information wall hangings, drawing room, dining table and bed on the local name of the plant, parts used, mode and room articles, ladies hand bag, ornament box, etc. are time of collection of raw material, processing, method the items produced with Kaincha. Other attractive of preparation of artifacts, tools and techniques along artifacts prepared include toys, models of carts and with their economic and marketing aspects. As most country boats called Boita which needs expertise and of the artisans are women and illiterate, interviews time to finish by experienced artisans. Varieties of were conducted through a facilitator by putting a items like hat, tray, pot and glass cover, mobile phone series of pre-determined questions. Prior consent stand, pen stand, flower vase, bed light stand and had been taken from the participants to publish the boxes of different size instantly attract the attention information. The sample specimen was collected, and appreciation of viewers due to their intricate identified with the help of the local flora,29 herbarium design and glazing golden yellow colour (Figs. 8-22). specimen was prepared and deposited in the Of course different synthetic colours and other herbarium section of the Botany department of N C materials like glass and coloured cloth pieces are used (Autonomous) College, Jajpur for future reference. now a day to make the items more attractive and The plant in its natural habitat, artisan groups at marketable. The positive aspects of these artifacts are work, finished products, etc. were systematically their long life, non-fading natural colour and low photographed and their versions recorded. price for which they become common in every house of this region. Observations Another important aspect observed during the field The study reveals that, making artifacts from the study is that, the artisans now work under the banner matured stem of Bena is exclusively the hand work of of 27 Mahila Samiti or Ladies self help groups female folk of the village. Majority of these artisans (SHG). Some of those SHGS are even registered belong the scheduled caste (Pana, Kandara, Baguti, bodies who participate in craft exhibitions (Pallishree Keuta, Dalai and Niari) and scheduled tribe (Saara or mela) and festivals in and outside the states Sabara, Kolha) communities. Around 600 members (Fig. 23-24). Some Government organizations like from 360 families of the said villages are engaged in district industries centre and ORMAS (Odisha Rural making such traditional artifacts by collecting the Development and Marketing Society) as well as some raw materials from the field by cutting with a sickle. NGOs are also providing them training to make The leaf sheath is separated and it is sun dried for modern items and its marketing. about a week. The golden yellow coloured hollow stem locally called Kainsa is then stored in a dry and Discussion closed room for future use. The tools used for craft Bena or vetiver is used in countries like Thailand, making are simple iron needles of two different Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Latin thicknesses. Either the whole stem is used or it is America and Africa where rural communities use the made to split in to two equal half’s lengthwise as per leaf of this perennial grass to prepare attractive necessity. Normally the artisans sit in group in the handicrafts21,25 and it become an important means of afternoon or during leisure time and do the weaving generating their income. This practice is also there and craft making (Figs. 3 & 4). A little water in a pot in South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka and is kept at their sides for use to make the material soft Tamil Nadu where the artisans produce high quality and malleable. handicraft items from vetiver roots. In Mithila region A total of 200 varieties of artifact items are of Bihar it is used in Sikki art making which is prepared by the artisans that can be broadly put into unique to that loclaity24. Similarly the female artisans two categories, i.e. traditional and modern. Items like of Jajpur make varieties of decorative items from this Kuanra Pasara (a container used in Kumar Purnima wild grass, available in their surrounding water 776 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO 4, OCTOBER 2014

bodies. These artifacts have their unique style, design district of Odisha. But under the changing scenario and long life for which it is appreciated by the people it is becoming a dying craft which warrants some from ancient period. Even it became the tradition to urgent remedial measures including protection of the use specific Bena artifacts in particular socio-religious habitat, modern training to the artisans, marketing and rituals performed in the locality which has indirectly sponsorship, etc. to save it for posterity. helped in survival of this craft as well as the traditional knowledge concerning making those items. The study Acknowledgement revealed that, although these artisans are now making The authors are thankful to the local artisans and modern artifacts as per the change in taste of the craftsmen for their cooperation in providing people, they earn a meager Rs 50-70/- per day as information regarding the Kaincha craft and to the return due to lack of proper exposure, sponsorship and respective college authorities for due permission marketing of their products. given to continue this work. Help and guidance of Another important aspect of this indigenous craft is Dr SD Adhikari, Reader in English, NC (Autonomous) that, the illiterate artisans involved in this craft College, Jajpur is also thankfully acknowledged. making are in unorganized rural sector and not aware of the laws concerning modern trade and commerce to References protect their design and technology. 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