KENDRAPARA: KEWDA has transformed the lives of women in seaside Ramanagar and Kharinashi villages under Mahakalapada block in Kendrapara district. The women have become self-sufficient by making and selling Kewda leaf products in the market. Kewda is a shrub with fragrant flowers.
Kewda trees, locally called Kiya, are in abundance in the villages as the climate is conducive for growth of such species.
The spiny and fibrous leaves of Kewda (Pandanus Odoratissimus) plant are used for making mats, cordage, hats, bags and baskets. Women use time-honoured methods, requiring patience and simple technology, for removing the spines from the leaves without injuring their hands.
Of late, Kewda products are catching the fancy of urbanites as these are eco-friendly, bio-degradable and cutting down the use of plastic.
Craftswoman Champabati Samal said she along with 80 women of Ramnagar has been eking out a living by making Kewda leaf products.
At 47, Champabati is the head of a women SHG, which is into making and selling of Kewda leaf caps, fans, baskets, toys, pen stands and other items.
“We formed the SHG comprising 15 women in 2006 and there was no looking back since then. Now Kewda products of Ramnagar are popular and in great demand,’’ said Champabati. Each member earns anything between ` 1,500 and ` 3,000 a month.
“Beautiful Kewda leaf items have been used for household purposes for years in Kendrapara and its nearby areas,” said Balaram Parida, former chairman of Mahakalapada block.
The origin of this craft is centuries old. This traditional craft has been passed on from generation to generation, said Satabati Samal, head of Matrubhumi SHG of Kharinashi with 15 women and girls making Kewda items.
“The District Industries Centre (DIC) imparted skill upgradation training to 25 craftspeople recently to meet the demands from the urban people,” said an official.
Kewda is also used in making perfume, aromatic oil, fragrant distillation and indigenous medicines.