Where banana fibre weaves the future

CHUCKLES fill the air as a motley crowd of women, sitting under the shade of a tree, exchanges jokes and pleasantries, while their fingers twist and flex in a uniform rhythm.

- MS THANARAJ

Holding a string of dried banana fibres, they envisage beyond the ordinary and transform the so-called 'useless' fibres into prized products.

This is the daily routine one finds at the Madurai International Centre for Arts (MICA), a dedicated organisation that empowers rural women by offering them training and employment in the production of sustainable banana fibre utensils, in Tiruparankundram. What many consider as garbage gets skilfully woven into over 20 kinds of utensils and other products, including baskets and lamp shades, thanks to the expert artistry of these women.

MICA, the brainchild of R Charlas of Tiruparangundram in Madurai, began as a small initiative in 2017 with only 12 members. Over a course of six years, the organisation grew drastically, and at present, MICA employs nearly 80 women, who have been trained in weaving the products, which are then exported to several countries including the US.