WHAT ?
PATTAMADAI MATS
Pattamadai Pai is a distinguished handcrafted mat from Tamil Nadu, woven in the historic village of Pattamadai in Tirunelveli. Celebrated for its refined texture and intricate detailing, each mat is the result of generations of mastered skill and devotion. The art of weaving these exceptional pieces is a closely preserved family tradition, making every Pattamadai mat a timeless expression of heritage, craftsmanship, and understated luxury.
WHERE ?
Pattamadai Pai is woven from Cyperus Pangorei Rottb, locally known as Korai grass, a resilient and finely textured natural fiber that flourishes along the fertile banks of the Tamirabarani River in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Abundantly found around Ambasamudram, Tharuval, and Mela Thiruvengadanadapuram, and also cultivated in Karur, Manimutharu, Karambai, and Karisoolnthamangalam, the finest Korai grass is carefully harvested and brought to Pattamadai, where skilled artisans transform this river-grown fiber into timeless woven masterpieces.
WHY?
Pattamadai Pai was created as a practical response to the hot climate of Tamil Nadu, where a naturally cooling, breathable surface was essential for everyday living. Handwoven from Korai grass and traditionally dyed with natural colors, these mats provided comfort, were free from chemicals, and were gentle on the skin, making them ideal for resting, sleeping, and even for infants. Over time, their purity, durability, and fine craftsmanship also made them an integral part of Tamil wedding traditions, valued not only for utility but for cultural significance.
HOW ?
Korai grass harvested from the banks of the Tamirabarani River is carefully sun-dried, split into fine strands, and dyed using traditional methods before being dried again. Skilled artisans then weave the strands by hand on traditional floor looms using a precise basket-weave technique. The finished mat is compressed, sun-cured, and polished with a stone to achieve its signature smooth, refined finish.
VIDIYAL
The name vidiyal refers to sunrise. As the name implies, the mat design was inspired by the colours of the early morning sun.
PAALUM PAZHAMUM
This mat is a traditional design woven for many decades by weavers. It involves a very basic design integrating equal lengths of horizontal bands using two different colours.
VIRUTCHAM
The mat Virutcham meaning ‘A Tree’ has an asymmetrical design with traditional motifs on one-fifth of the mat and plain spread throughout the rest of the mat symbolizing the tree and its branches
SINTHAMANI
A Traditional design that has been woven for generations. This design includes vertical lines running along the length of the mat bordered with traditional motifs
SADHURAM
The 7 kambu traditional motif is integrated into each ‘Sadhuram’ or square in the mat. A stretch of natural Korai grass colour mat is bordered with black coloured square patterns.
THADAM
The mat thadam appreciates the footprints or the traces of the weavers, incorporating black and rustic colours.