Photograph — Palm-leaf craft material from Tamil Nadu (representative photograph). Source image unavailable; caption preserved.
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Fibre, Grass & Cane Craft · Tamil Nadu — Chettinad
Chettinad Kottan (Palm-Leaf Basket)
A brightly coloured, tightly woven palmyra-leaf basket traditionally given as part of a Chettiar bride's wedding gifts, now produced as a popular home and gifting product.
GI status: GI-registered, 2012
Shelf life: Indefinite (natural material, does not spoil if kept dry)
Women-led sector
| Category | Fibre, Grass & Cane Craft |
|---|---|
| Region | Tamil Nadu — Chettinad |
| GI status | GI-registered, 2012 |
| Typical shelf life | Indefinite (natural material, does not spoil if kept dry) |
| Women's role in production | Woven exclusively by women of the Chettinad region from palm leaves in a tradition historically tied to a bride's wedding trousseau, now sustained through women's craft collectives. |
Why this fits a low-wastage SHG model: A durable, naturally dry fibre product with effectively indefinite shelf life if kept away from moisture.
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