'manja craft' in Baddowal

The lovely Basheera aunty has made hundreds of manjas in her time, and there's no stopping her. She has six new ones carefully covered and stacked in her home in Baddowal, ready for the summer months.  These are reserved for special occasions when she will have guests visiting. After putting up some resistance, she let me have a sneak peak at these stunning beds. She also makes foot stools and rugs.

I will be working with her to develop some samples for table runners and placemats on my next visit home.

upcycling craft heroes

Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Ludhiana

Made by Muktesh in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Ludhiana

Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad

Shaheed Bhagad Singh Nagar, Ludhiana

Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Ludhiana

Ludhiana-Jalandhar highway, near Phillaur

Jandiala, near Phagwara

Made by Muktesh in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar

First spotted while trotting around Manek Chowk in Ahmedabad with Meanest Indian, I have come to discover that women across the country are making these beautiful woven charpoys (manja in Punjabi) or beds for their homes. These are often made from remnants or old sarees and dupattas, although some women also use new fabric. They braid the fabric into rope, which is eventually woven around a wooden (traditionally) or metal frame.

Unconventional material like shiny crisp packets or plastic bags are also used, as seen here. I came across some shiny charpoys in Delhi on a recent visit but unfortunately couldn't take any photos at the time. I will have to go back and find them again!

 The rope can be bought for 50/kg and used to make charpoys or as fancy rope to hang laundry.

They are woven in many different weaves, details of some can be seen below.

23/03/2011: I found some unconventional manjas on my way to Mussoorie last weekend. The one below was spotted in Herbertpur in Dehradun district (Uttrakhand). It is made of plastic bags and sachets.