Sikki Grass — Mithila's Golden Craft of Coiled Baskets

The story

In the Mithila region of north Bihar — the same countryside that paints Madhubani — women practise a quieter craft: coiling sikki, a golden grass that grows in the wetlands and riverbanks, into baskets, boxes and figures that seem to hold light. Sikki work has passed from mother to daughter for generations as a household art, made in the months after the grass is harvested and dried. Its most cherished role is ceremonial: a bride traditionally carried sikki boxes — including the pauti, which held sindoor — in her trousseau, and mothers made sikki toys, birds and deity figures for their children and household shrines. The grass itself is the marvel. Cured sikki keeps a natural metallic sheen for years without any varnish, which is why old pieces still glow. Artisans dye part of their stock in bright pinks, greens and purples and work it against the natural gold, producing patterns that are cheerful without ever needing paint. Long overshadowed by Mithila's famous painting tradition, sikki craft is increasingly recognised in its own right, and the earnings it brings Mithila's women make it one of Bihar's most quietly important village crafts.

How it is made

Sikki is harvested, sun-dried and split into fine, flexible strands; some are boiled with dyes for colour, the rest kept natural gold. The craft is coiling: the artisan takes a core — often a bundle of locally available munj grass — and wraps and stitches sikki strands tightly around it using a takua, a needle-like metal awl that is the craft's only real tool. The wrapped coil is then spiralled on itself, each round stitched to the one below, growing outward into a base and upward into walls, lids and handles. Figures — elephants, birds, deities — are built the same way, coil by coil. A tight, even wrap is everything: it decides the strength of the box and the smoothness of its shine.

Buying guide

Look for tight, even coils with no gaps between rounds, stitching that stays consistent on curves, and a lid that seats cleanly on its box. The natural gold portions should have a soft sheen — that lustre is the grass itself, not a coating. Small boxes and ornaments typically start around ₹200; large baskets, elaborate boxes and detailed figurines can reach ₹9,000. Dyed colours vary batch to batch, which is a mark of hand-dyeing, not a defect.

Care

Keep sikki dry — moisture is its only real enemy. Dust with a soft, dry cloth or brush; never wash or wipe with water. Display dyed pieces away from direct sunlight, which can fade colours over time. Store with a little airflow rather than sealed in plastic, and the grass's natural sheen will last for years.

Frequently asked questions