Hand woven Pattamadai Baby Pai | Pattamadai Baby Mat | Pattu Paai | Pattamadai Silk Mats | Pathamadai Pai | Korai/ Kusha Grass Mat | GI Tagged | River Grass

Pathamadai or Pattamadai is a town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Pathamadai has a mat industry which produces mats crafted out of Korai grass (Reed plant) also known as Indian Chattai.

These mats are flexible and have been gifted to several global leaders and dignitaries in the past, visiting India.

This Silk Mat or ‘Pattu Paai‘ or ‘Pattamadai Pai‘ (mat) is a beautifully crafted floor mat that will remind us of the lovely afternoon naps at our grand parents’ house in childhood, during school holidays.

The mat is woven using cotton or silk in the weft. The use of silk thread gives a royal sheen and definite appeal to the mat.

The majority of mats made in Patthamadai have cotton warps and Korai (Marsh reed) wefts. Korai grass is found in abundance along the banks of the rivers and in marshy areas in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The most unique aspect of a Pattamadai mat is its ultra-softness and tremendous flexibility. The mats, depending on the weaving, range from soft to super fine.

The finest and most closely woven mats are called ‘Pattu Pai’ or ‘Silk Mats‘ because of their feel like ultra-soft silk. It takes nearly 45 days of soaking and processing, and then about 2 – 3 weeks to make a single mat.

The processing and weaving time can extend to nearly 4 months for a super fine ‘Pattu Pai‘.

Pattamadai silk mats are traditionally handwoven by skilled artisans. The manufacturing process involves collecting Korai grass, which is then dyed and weaved with silk threads to create intricate designs. This traditional method of manufacturing is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it produces high-quality, unique mats that are highly valued in overseas markets.

The demand for Pattamadai silk mats in overseas markets has been growing steadily over the years. These mats are in high demand due to their unique design, durability, and eco-friendly nature. They are used as decorative items in homes, offices, and other commercial spaces

Its place on the international market when it was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation in 1953 and since then has been presented to dignitaries around the world. It received the geographical indication (GI) tag. It is an art form that is centuries old and that is unique to this region.