Thaikkal Rattan Craft

Thaikkal Rattan Craft is the making of furniture and household articles from rattan cane by the artisans of Thaikkal in Nagapattinam district, known for their fine hand-caning. Split and whole rattan is soaked, bent and woven around frames to make chairs, sofas, cradles, baskets, tables and decorative items, with the closely worked cane surfaces marking skilled craftsmanship. The craft grew in this coastal region where cane was worked into strong yet light furniture well suited to the humid climate. Each piece is shaped and woven largely by hand, and a good cane chair or settee can take an artisan considerable time to complete. The tradition supports a cluster of cane-worker families in Thaikkal and supplies handcrafted rattan furniture valued for its durability, comfort and natural look.