Jaltarang means waves on water, and the name of the old Indian instrument played on water-filled bowls. These baskets are woven from kauna, a reed from the wetlands of Manipur. This is the sturdiest of them. The kauna is twisted into thick rope, laid in tight horizontal rows and finished with a rope-twist rim, all held in a cane frame with a cane cross-brace underneath so the base stays flat when it's full. A hand-hold is cut into each end. It is the basket for the bottom shelf and the entryway, for things that are heavy and get pulled out every day.
Specifications
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Size: 9 x 6 x 5.5 in (23 x 15 x 14 cm)
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Material: Kauna grass on a cane frame
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Base: Cane cross-brace
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Handles: Cut-out hand-holds on both ends
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Craft: Hand-twisted rope weave
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Origin: Manipur
Five ways people actually use it
- Keys, wallets and sunglasses by the front door
- Pantry packets: dal, poha, tea
- Board games and cards on a living-room shelf
- Socks and innerwear in a wardrobe
- Cleaning cloths and supplies under the sink cabinet's shelf
Why kauna
Kauna is a reed that grows in the marshes and wetlands of Manipur's Imphal valley. Fresh, it is soft and spongy; dried, it turns tough enough to hold a shape and light enough to carry with one hand. It has a warm straw-gold colour that varies from stem to stem, which is something no machine weave reproduces. It is a wetland plant that grows back every season, and there is no plastic anywhere in this basket.
The craft
The reed is cut by hand, laid out to dry in the sun until the green turns to gold, and then woven, by hand, around a cane and bamboo frame: braided into a plait, twisted into rope, or opened out into a lattice. Manipur has woven kauna for generations into floor mats and stools, and the same hands now make these baskets. No two come out exactly alike. That is how you can tell a person made it.
Care
- Keep dry. Natural fibre takes in moisture, so keep it out of the wet corner of the bathroom
- Dust with a dry brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum
- Wipe marks with a barely damp cloth, then let it air-dry fully
- If it gets damp, dry it in shade with good airflow, not in direct sun
- If it is pushed out of square, reshape it by hand
Good to know
- Every basket is woven by hand, so sizes can vary by about ¼ in (0.5 cm)
- Colour varies from strand to strand. That is the reed, not a fault
- A faint natural grassy smell when new fades in a few days in open air
- Not suitable for wet items
- Actual colours may vary slightly with your screen settings
Frequently asked questions
Is this kauna, water hyacinth or seagrass?
Kauna grass from Manipur, every strand.
Will it hold its shape?
Yes. The weave is built around a cane and bamboo frame, so it stands up empty and doesn't sag when full.
Can I use it in the bathroom?
On a dry shelf, yes. Not on the floor of a wet bathroom or next to the shower.
Is it handmade?
Yes, every piece is woven by hand in Manipur.
Do you take bulk or corporate gifting orders?
Yes - bulk, wholesale and custom gifting for retail stores, interior designers, boutiques, hotels, homestays, wedding planners and corporate gifting teams. Get in touch with us for quantity pricing.
