Charpai blues

~By Anu. Oh dear!! I wasted half a day today trying to learn to weave a charpai (charpoy)! These romanticized Indian string cots are used throughout villages, even cities as couches, tables, beds, clothes & chilli dryers... you name it. Still, I can only find literary references to them on the web.... no actual 'HOW TO' guides (except, bizarrely, for this one. Scroll halfway down the page!)
    I had this romantic idea that if I could master the art which is somewhere between rug-weaving and basket-making, I'd be able to take back the raw materials and furnish my garden in London cheaply, and chic-ly!
    So, charpai man arrived with the peg legs and bamboo lengths for the frame and two kinds of rope for the actual cot. The main weave uses a fibre made from the 'san' tree (not sure about the spelling), which apparently grows by the water's edge. When the entire charpai weave is finished, a rope called 'dhawan' is used to secure it to the other end, and to tighten the weave so it doesn't sag when you sit on it.

Making the frame is relatively straight-forward. The long lengths of bamboo go in the lower holes and the short lengths go in the upper holes. You then strengthen the frame by hammering in wedges of bamboo to fill the gaps.
    To weave it, you loop the 'san' rope a dozen times about ten inches away from one end. This forms the anchor from which your weave begins. Even the weaving seems simple in theory. Yet, neither I, nor Sonu, pictured at right, could figure out where each new row starts, and what rules guide it. Charpai man knew instinticely how to do it and thought we were dunderheads! Or maybe he's protecting his trade from DO-IT-YOURSELF-ers!
    So if you've ever been seduced by the idea of a charpoy, but you don't live anywhere near the subcontinent.... either be prepared to pay piles of money to ship one (as one colleague is doing already); or find yourself a nice Punjabi auntie or uncle living in your neighborhood and see if you can coax them to show you! So many people stopped to watch what we were doing, or to lend advice. It didn't help us in the end. Though if you find a teacher, a few days of rigorous practice should be enough!         
    Alas, my two charpais will have to stay behind in India whenever I go back. But I'm determined to learn! Does anyone in East London know how to string a charpoy???

Comments

[Stringbedco]

If you ever wish to have a Charpai or Charpoy try Stringbedco. We make beautiful handmade Charpoys that will last. Visit us at www.Stringbedco.com or use the above e-mail address to contact the UK based agents.

[Paul Coletti]

Drying out chillis? They look great for drying out ravioli .. . . Can you bring me one back Anu?

[koonj]

oh, but you're in trouble if you get khatmal (bedbugs) in the woodwork. Then there's a lengthy process of pouring hot oil or hot water into the legs or something of that nature. And don't leave them out in the rain or they end up looking like they're handicapped, standing on 3 legs (because they get warped).

yeah, charpoys are not all that comfy ... :)