India, Aug. 20 -- A century ago, there was a huge demand for shitol pati (cool mats) made of murta plants because they were one of the most effective ways to beat the heat during summers. Considering it a profitable venture, my grandfather, Rai Mohan Dey, learnt this weaving art form and began production in the 1920s," says Nirmal Dey.

"However, with the advent of cooling appliances, such as ceiling fans and air conditioners, shitol pati slowly started losing popularity, bringing uncertainty into the lives of patikars (mat weavers) for whom the traditional craft is not just a source of livelihood but a cultural identity," says the Assam Gaurav awardee, living in Cachar district's Kuarpar village. The village is one of the many in the Bar...