Women in the households of Bihar use Sikki, the golden grass, to produce a variety of items. The most notable product is baskets, which were are for dowry gifts (in the past), carrying worship items, and daily tasks such as storing grains and clothing. The most striking features, however, are the sculptures and figures of elephants, birds, horses with riders, human figures, peacocks, and pigeons.

Sikki Craft Products (Image Credit- https://aparnachallu.com)
Origin and History

Idol of Radha and Krishna made from Sikki (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- Sikki, National Institute of Design)
Historically, people’s fundamental necessities were met, often through clever use of locally available materials. Because of the need to store things for an extended period of time and to keep a variety of products, people all over the world created baskets of all forms and sizes using a wide range of locally available materials. Sikki weaving is so old that no one knows when, where, or how it started. It is believed to have emerged thousands of years ago.
According to the legend, During her exile in the jungle, the goddess Sita is said to have utilized Sikki grass to construct exquisite mats and baskets. Inspired by her work, the locals began experimenting with Sikki grass, which finally evolved into a polished art form.
How it flourished

Three Dimentional Forms made from sikki grass to depict wedding scene (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
The artists do not pursue this craft full-time, but rather as a leisure activity. Still, Sikki basketry has thrived in several areas of northern Bihar. At one point, a considerable proportion of the people in North Bihar was involved in this skill, particularly in the districts of Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Sitamarhi. Madhubani remains the most well-known place for this craft.
In the past, these baskets were so prevalent that they served as a girl’s dowry. Village women continue to build these baskets for their daughters’ weddings, though they now have more of a ritualistic purpose. According to local custom, the bride brings some with her, packed with grain, sweets, and other gifts for her new house. It is likely that peasants who wanted to emulate the zamindars’ dowries, which included elephants and horses, found some joy in this rite. Peasant ladies meticulously made these figures in the grass to compensate for their daughters’ otherwise inadequate dowry. A young bride’s creativity and talent are appraised by the many sikki objects she brings to her in-laws’ home.
Sikki work was a skill possessed by women in specific districts of Bihar, and with the active engagement of some local NGOs such as Adithi, it was carried out actively to produce income while also a medium of expressing their lives, love, and aspirations. Sikki goods are regularly displayed and sold at various handicraft exhibitions.

Processed and Dyed Khar Grass (Image Credit – dsource.in)
Characteristics:
Sikki basketry derives its name from the golden inner section of khar and munj grass. Khar (also known as golden grass) and munj grow wild in the marshy wasteland during the monsoon season and are harvested in October. The grass is split with teeth, soaked and dyed in various colours, then coiled into baskets used to store flour, grains, and other dry foods. The tightly wound coils make them waterproof and long-lasting. Individual baskets are distinguished by eye-catching designs such as stylized flowers, geometric elements, and renowned phrases. Even though this technique has endured for generations, each item has a look that is both highly individualistic and unique, demonstrating the vitality of the tradition as it is practiced.

Sua or Iron Needle used in Sikki Craft (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
Method:
The grass is initially cut near its base with a sickle, locally known as hasua, and then dried. It is dyed and tied in a specific way and allowed to dry for a day. The outer portion of the flowering stem is removed, and the inner part is divided in two with a Sua or Takua, the only tool needed throughout the entire process. It is an iron needle six inches long, with a

The coiling process of Sikki baskets (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
spherical tip and a wooden grip. At times, the women use their teeth to divide grass. The resulting strips are used to create Sikki items with the coiling procedure. Munj Sikki gives the product’s essential structure and strength. It is then wrapped with flexible water-soaked khar.
A basket takes roughly 90 hours to make. Women only make this in the winter because summer grass is too harsh and wounds their fingers. Khar is naturally golden, but it can be dyed in a number of colors. It is cooked in dye for an hour to create the appropriate color. Colours (pakka rang) traditionally used during Holi are purchased from the local market and used as dyes. Purple, green, red, magenta, and pink are common options. These colors, paired with the natural golden tint of khar, create an entire ensemble of colors.

The dominant color palette of Sikki Baskets (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)

Some contemporary Sikki products (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
Variety of Product:
Women produce a variety of domestic items, ranging from fine bangles to large and ornate baskets and containers. The size of these baskets vary depending on their intended purpose. Baskets often last three to four years, depending on their intended use. When they are fresh, they are used to carry religious items; as they get old, they are employed for home uses. Old baskets are used to feed livestock.
Depending on the usage, the products can be named as
- Jhappa – Large containers with lids used to store food grains, spices, and sweets
- Mauni – Trays for fresh fruits, betel leaves, nuts, flowers, etc
- Pauti– Beautiful little boxes with caps for storing jewelry, dried fruits, and other expensive stuff
- Gumla– Bowl-like containers for a variety of applications
- Saji– Flower Baskets
In order to gain a favorable reputation in both the domestic and international markets, Sikki craft artisans are currently producing a wide range of decorative items, including Sikki grass coasters, mobile cases, masks, mirror frames, tablemats, pencil boxes, handheld fans, colorful bowls, jewelry boxes, bracelets, toys, pen stands, paper weights, 3-D figures, and containers of all shapes and sizes.
Designs and Patterns:
Women’s minds draw inspiration from their surroundings. In general, design is geometric, incredibly flexible, and frequently stunning and lovely. Without any blueprints in front of them, the makers often worked by sight, mentally dividing a circular foundation into equal portions for visualization.
With Khar, two layers of sewing are done over a single layer of coiling to produce various patterns. To create the structure, the first and most fundamental layer of coiling is completed. In order to create motifs and patterns with diagonals, such as the chevron effect, the second layer of sewing is completed.
The symbols include geometric shapes, human, animal, and floral representations of ideas and beliefs. In addition to being appreciated as beautiful works of art, the motifs also serve as sources of religious and social teachings for the public, as well as echoes of some ideas and proverbs.
Bel Buti Motif
Originating in Persia, the bel buti, or creeping vine motif, was used into textile embellishment by the Mughals. Textile weavers and embroiderers have been inspired to create amazing patterns by the thin, curving stems that are laden with flowers, buds, and fruits. Both large and small buti, which are portrayed as shrubs, flowers, or sprigs, may exist. The flowers in the area and the designs they observe in saris have an impact on the artists, who attempt to incorporate these elements into their Sikki works.

The various floral and bel buti motifs of Sikki baskets (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)

Lotus Motif (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
Lotus Motif:
The lotus, with its multipetal representation signifying the multiplicity of the universe, symbolizes the very essence of the mandala and stands for purity, serenity, and cosmic harmony. According to Hinduism, Brahma, the creator, sits atop an eight-petaled lotus that emerges from the naval of Lord Vishnu, the guardian. Here, the lotus, whose petals stand for earth, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect, and ego, is a representation of the cosmos. It grows from the center sun, and Brahma is said to be the source of ideas about fertility and wealth.

Parrot Motif (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
Parrot motif:
According to Hindu mythology, parrots are love birds that serve as messengers for Kamadeva, the God of love. It represents the passion, courtship, and sensual desires that are typically depicted in Indian art along with the everlasting lovers of Hinduism, Krishna and Radha.

Peacock Motif (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
Peacock motif:
One of the most significant motifs is the peacock, which Hindus view as a sacred bird. Peacocks are also linked to Lord Krishna’s rasalas or dances. It is mentioned in both the Rig-veda and the Atharva-veda as a vehicle of the goddess Saraswati. It represents fertility, love, beauty, immortality, courtship, celestial regalia, divine forces, and virtue.
The Sun motif:

Sun Motif (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
People from many different cultures and religions have revered the sun because they believe it to be the source of life. The sun, which is portrayed as the sole celestial form that is visible to the naked eye, is an essential part in Hindu ceremonies. Hinduism holds that the sun travels in a chariot pulled by seven horses, each of which stands for one of the seven colors of light. The Sun and his sister Chhathi Maiyya are honored with the Chhath Puja, which is widely observed in Bihar, as a way to express gratitude for the blessings of life on Earth and to ask that specific wishes be fulfilled.

Kalash Motif (Image Credit-The story of golden grass- sikki, National Institute of Design)
Kalasha Motif:
The sacred ceremonial water jar, known as Kalasha, has a distinct position among all the auspicious symbols that have been employed in Indian art throughout history. It represents fertility, abundance, good fortune, success in life, and the global mother goddess. It stands for the fertile rivers of life and the womb. The Swastika and other auspicious symbols adorn the kalash.
Sikki Products Proffering Eco-Friendly Lifestyle:
The Sikki crafts are lightweight, organic, and environmentally friendly. These biodegradable goods are quite effective since they have a longer lifespan, allowing people to use them for as long as they desire. Products manufactured from organic materials, such as Sikki grass, can be a good alternative to plastics given the negative environmental effects of plastics.
Reference to Pop Culture:
Students from MS University have given the craft a new perspective. With an extensive collection of environmentally friendly clothing embellished with bamboo grass patterns, Textile and Apparel Design students at MSU’s Institute of Fashion Technology have focused the craft on creating art. IFT temporary assistant professor Rinku Agrawal stated –
“Our students have transformed this craft to create better employment opportunities for weavers and those seeking work. … The students used waste fabric scrap (pre-consumer waste from garment units) converted into strips. These strips are used as both ‘tana’ (Warp) and ‘banna’ (Weft), and weaving thread and yarn into fabric. … The weaving technique has been picked up from sikki art.”

Sikki basket being used to store fruits (Image Credit- Clicked by the author, Sadia Shakil)
Where is it now?
The Sikki custom has endured the test of time and is currently practiced by women in rural Bihar, which is an intriguing example of its tenacity. Ironically, Sikki grass work is still in high demand today, not only because of its exceptional beauty but also because of the culture and values it represents. Almost every rural home in Bihar still uses Sikki items, particularly baskets. Unfortunately, there aren’t many people actively engaged in the craft since there aren’t many new designs or product developments. As a result, regular sales and income flow have gradually decreased, particularly because of the regular market’s bottleneck.