The Barpali Days

Crafts 8:11 AM

Khus khus [ବେଣା ଚେର]

Khus khus are the roots of a kind of grass which grows in wild profusion in the meadows and barren lands, spread across the interiors of India. The botanical name for Khus Khus is Vetiveria Zixanoides.

It is not cultivated on a commercial scale. Nevertheless, its value be undermined. The roots of this grass is the ideal answer to fight the tropical heat of Indian summer. Once the roots are harvested, they are made into door and window screens with the support of bamboo frames. Water is sprinkled on the khus khus whose natural fibres absorb the moisture and retain the dampness for longer hours. The hot summer winds passing through these screens, get cooled and what is more, a distinctly, mild fragrance is released gently. This has a very soothing effect on all who enjoy this natural form of air-conditioning.

[The Khus khus grass]

At first glance this grass could be dismissed for some wild growth. But in reality, its value is not to be underestimated. Khus Khus has been much valued from time immemorial, that it was used in palaces and royal courtyards, and even in humble abodes to combat the searing heat of the Indian summer. Since the ‘80 Khus Khus has received a new lease of life. Around this time the Indian durable market was flooded with air coolers for the first time. Till then khus khus roots were made as screens, which were then hung up outside doors and windows. Overnight, its potential was utilized in an unique way. Rectangular frames of khus khus were inserted inside the air coolers. Thus it served a dual purpose. While the air was cooled it gave off the pleasant scent of khus khus.

In Odisha, khus khus grows in wild profusion in its outlying districts. Once the grass is dug up, its roots are crafted by hand without the aid of any kind of tools, into door and window screens. Bamboo is used to make the frames for these khus khus screens. However, the bamboo frame does not last long due, as insects cause irreparable damage.

Till the last decade the tribals tied the khus khus roots together with jute fibre. But recently they found that plastic threads are a more durable option. But to get the best out of khus khus screens it is advisable to change them every summer. Khus khus however cannot be used in coastal regions. When the saline air of this area comes in contact with the wet screens, it leaves behind a salt residue which gets embedded in the screen and thus causes irreparable damage to the screen.

[a close-up view of Khus khus roots]

When you travel 8 kms south of Bargarh town you will reach a small hamlet by the name Nileswar. In this village many families, over several generations have been engaged in the making of khus khus mats. In this village the entire Nariha Tikra street, is dominated by the families who make these khus khus mats.

Locally khus khus is referred to as bena chera. Around the time Dusserah festival is celebrated, the tribal folks of Lakhanpur Dungri of Bargah district are engaged in digging up this grass from which they extract its unique roots. In the month of October a quintal of bena chera can fetch upto Rs. 1,400/- INR. But in summer the prices soar and touch Rs. 1,800/- to Rs. 2.000/- per quintal. Soon after Dushera these tribal folks get down to making the khus khus mats. The sale of these mats commences during the Hindu calendar months of Phagun and Jeth which coincide with the months of April and May. The workers have to sell all their stock during these two months, or else, the surplus stock will prove to be a liability for them. The khus khus production has not received Government recognition as a cottage industry. It is a disheartening situation, as several families are engaged in this cottage industry, without Government aid to face fluctuating market conditions.

Every summer, in Nileswar it is a common sight to find the craftsmen loading up their bena chera mats on to their cyles and heading for the neighbouring towns of Bargarh and Barpali to sell their wares. At Kannauj ( Uttar Pradesh) perfume is extracted from khus khus the end product of which got wider application in the sweet Supari and the Gutkha industry. The Khus Khus perfume has a unique fragrance, which is much appreciated the world over. Its oil has sedative properties. It also aids in controlling negative emotional outbursts such as bouts of anger, anxiety, nervousness, as well as epileptic and hysteric attacks.

[a lady using a hand fan made with khus khus roots]

With the rapid advances made in the technological field, traditional arts and crafts are dying a slow death. But surprisingly, Khus Khus still has a loyal following among those who value traditional and natural products. The corporate executive who is ensconced in the confines of an air conditioned office will never know the benefits of air which is cooled in the traditional way with the help of khus khus mats.

Each summer, Gurudev Sahu of Nileswar village, with the help of three other adult craftsmen of his family, nets barely Rs. 20,000/- INR selling these khus khus mats. For all the toil put in the reward is but a mere pittance. In Oriya there is a saying “bhuka gai bena khae”. So in essence, only a hungry cow will eat the khus khus grass despite the fact that it has got sharp blades that too which are actually inedible.

Note : The profile picture of a cottage with the khus khus screen is a unit of the residence of this writer.

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E. KIRAN MOHAN(The Writer)

C\o. Dr.E.R.Rao (MD)

Main Road, Barpali-768029

Dist-Bargarh, Odisha, India

Ph- +918249314972 (Cell)

91-6646-256153(Home)

E Kiran Mohan 18