Rooted in South India, the Koodai knotting technique is a practice that has been passed down through generations. With the word Koodai meaning "basket", it is an artisanal craft traditionally shared among women within the community. Creating bags that were not only durable enough for everyday life, but that also celebrated colour and identity, this craft provided many homemakers with an opportunity to earn an income doing something they loved.
Due to the precision required in its construction, this is not a bag that can be made in a hurry, let alone by machine. It is a rich tradition that has long brought communities together, becoming part of the rhythm of daily life and encouraging patience in an ever-changing world. Using long reeds or strips of natural and recycled materials, including palm leaves, banana fibres and recycled plastic, each piece is created slowly and mindfully. Every bag carries a sense of purpose, celebrating both the women who make it and a heritage craft that continues to be passed from one generation to the next.
Over the years, parts of South India have become major centres for technology and industry. As younger generations pursue careers in these growing sectors, fewer are choosing to continue the craft and textile traditions that have long been practised by hand. With these skills traditionally passed down through generations, many artisan techniques are now at risk of being lost. Weaving, embroidery, dyeing and block printing are all crafts that cannot truly be replicated in the same way by a machine. It is important that we continue to cherish these traditions and celebrate the remarkable work of the women who keep them alive. By choosing pieces that are made slowly, with care and designed to last, we help ensure these heritage crafts have a future.
