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Bengal Bamboo, the woody perennial evergreen plant that is found in diverse climates from cold mountains to hot tropical plains is extensively used in various ways by man for his livelihood. Its hard wood quality, exceptional durability and lightness has led man to use it for house construction, building fences, bridges, canoes, furniture,

construction scaffolding, as a substitute for steel, reinforcing rods in concrete constructionfor martial arts weaponry, including fire arrows, flame throwers and rockets, hats, walking sticks, chopsticks, toys and various musical instruments. Bamboo works include its use in making some of the finest pieces of art and craft. Its light weight is an appealing feature enough to be used in various handicrafts.

Bamboo Handicrafts
In India bamboo is extensively used in North Eastern States as well as Bengal. Traditional baskets of various shapes and sizes for diverse uses are trademark of fine bamboo work tradition in Bengal. Kulas made of fine knitting of bamboo, are not just used for winnowing but for ceremonies such as pujas and marriages. The wide variety of pitaras, oval boxes, jhampis, oblong caskets, phul-saji, flower baskets, and chhalnis, sieves are important articles in Bengal bamboo handicrafts.

Mat Weaving
Bamboo works include mat weaving. Mat weaving is an integral part of livelihood in various parts of rural India. Date palm leaves, screw pine, reeds, grass, cane and bamboo are used in making mats. The finest varieties of mats woven are Pattamadai mats of Tamil Nadu. So fine is their texture that these mats can be folded into a small box.

Another type of mat famous in Kerala is the Kora grass mat. Intricately designed these mats have black and maroon colours worked into patterns. Kerala is also famous for its Screwpine mats with embroidery worked on them. Manipur’s reed mats called the phak are extensively exported while Bengal’s Sitalpatti is equally famous that is woven with green cane. To weave patterns the weavers dye a part of the cane in deep maroon colours. The exquisite craftsmanship can be appreciated if one follows the intricate designs woven by the weavers by placing one set of natural golden canes diagonally to another set of maroon dyed canes.
Mats woven with the madhur-kothi grass in Bengal are another type of mats that are known for their fine quality. These are also known as masnad mats.