How a Hyderabad company helps design lifestyle products from hyacinth fiber

Keshav and Bina Rao of Creative Bee shared a prototype of a lifestyle accessory made from water hyacinth fiber | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal

In the compact office of Creative Bee’s studio in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, there are samples of lifestyle accessories such as pen stands, coasters, table mats, baskets and lampshades made from hyacinth fiber, priced between ₹300 and ₹5,000. Some sturdy baskets and lampshades are at least ten years old. Bina and Keshav Rao, the founders of the organization, which is well-known in the weaving and handicrafts sector, have spearheaded the skill training project. After training women in two villages in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, in 2022, Keshav recently conducted a survey in three villages in Bihar for a similar project; they also hope to train women in Hyderabad and in nearby Telangana districts.

The pair stated that water hyacinth, a weed that grows in water, could be harnessed to provide a source of livelihood for people trained to make lifestyle accessories. “If the product meets quality control according to international standards, there is great potential. Stores such as Walmart and Ikea are looking for sources of products made from natural fibers,” explained Bina.

Pictures of the training program and some products | Photo Credit: Special Correspondent

Creative Bee has been part of UN-assisted craft training projects in India and Southeast Asia in the past. According to his track record and learning about some of the products available in Thailand, the Collector’s office in Tuticorin and Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission invited him for a training project.

After an initial survey in the water near Tuticorin, the program will begin in Authoor and Kottakurichi in January 2022. Women from self-help groups, many of whom are husbands of farmers in nearby banana plantations, are participating in the training. “At first it was a small group. As word spread, more women came forward and were given allowances. We trained 60 women,” said Bina.

Training for precision

Keshav has designed a tool kit to help cut hyacinth stems, weave them and fold them. The product prototype was designed with the help of alumni from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. He explains that the first few days are usually used to thoroughly wash the fibers to prevent mold formation. The fibers are then sorted according to thickness and length and dried on the roof of the roof. “This takes five or six days in summer and longer in other seasons. After it is completely dry, the fibers are cut to the required thickness.

Keshav and Bina Rao share a prototype of a lifestyle accessory made from water hyacinth fiber | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal

Pleating fibers into baskets and other products is a skill that is perfected through practice. It takes six weeks to learn basic pleating techniques. Keshav said there is often a misconception that a training program of two weeks or a month will be enough. He showed me some baskets depicting amateur handwork with irregularities in the pleating. In contrast, the pleating and finish of the product made by craftsmen who have been trained for several months, stand out as a premium product. “At least six months of training is essential to achieve strict quality control and uniformity for large corporate orders and for national and international lifestyle stores. We also identify skill sets and delegate tasks. One may be good at fiber cutting, while the other may not good at pleating or guaranteeing a smooth product, and so on.

Baskets and table accessories are just part of the product line. Keshav and Bina point out that there is scope for designing furniture as well.

“The Tuticorin project has been extended for eight months since normality is being restored after the lockdown. The women have learned to make good products,” said Bina. Towards the end of the project, Ramesh Flowers, a company that exports dried flowers and other lifestyle products to international companies, helped place a large order of water hyacinth products. The project is still underway in Tuticorin, the couple said, adding that their involvement is only with the training programme.

Bina and Keshav hope to train more people in the craft. A survey of water bodies in Bihar has helped Keshav identify three villages – Samsa, Kaidarabad and Rajlakhanpur. “Currently, we have some artisans in Tuticorin who can become trainers and impart these skills to others in Bihar. We hope to impart skills to some women in Hyderabad and surrounding areas in Telangana as well,” said Keshav.