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Back in the day, in the grand old Chettinad mansions of Tamil Nadu, the aachis — strong-willed, resourceful Chettiar housewives — had a knack for keeping their hands busy. When they weren’t running the kitchens or managing household affairs, they wove kottan baskets out of palm leaves. More than a way to pass the time; it was a tradition deeply rooted in the region’s culture, one that turned simple leaves into intricate, colourful containers used for everything from gifts to daily storage. These functional baskets were woven with patterns that reflected the rhythm of Chettinad life.
Chettinad, a region known for its palatial homes, temple architecture, and fragrant cuisine, was home to the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous mercantile community. These traders traveled far and wide, bringing home influences from Southeast Asia and beyond, yet their roots remained firmly planted in their ancestral villages. The kottan craft was passed down through generations, perfected by the women of the household who took immense pride in their work.
Fast forward to today, and the kottan tradition is seeing a fresh, modern revival, thanks to designers like David Joe Thomas. His Kasera seating collection takes inspiration from the old-school palm leaf baskets and transforms them into something entirely new. Thomas collaborated with skilled weavers from Karaikudi — one of Chettinad’s historic trade centers, blending their knowledge of basket weaving with his contemporary design sensibilities. The result is a bold, joyful furniture line that retains the bright, unapologetic colours of traditional kottan but reimagines them in a contemporary palette.
The palm trees that provided the raw material grew abundantly in the region, their tender leaves harvested with care. These leaves were then sun-dried, sliced into uniform strips, and dyed in striking hues before being woven into baskets. Over time, kottans evolved beyond their traditional red and pink tones to feature a palette of blues, greens, and yellows, mirroring the colours found in Chettinad’s textiles and architecture.
The Kasera collection, part of the exhibition ‘Dots. Lines. Checks’ at KAASH, is a celebration of structure and colour. Every piece in the series is built around a play of intersecting planes, designed to highlight the checkered weave that defines the collection. Their form is inspired by the Indian Charpai and they double as both seating and shelves. The weavers, with their deep understanding of color relationships, instinctively brought together shades that resonate with Chettinad’s visual language — from the deep blues of temple frescoes to the mustard yellows of traditional sarees. The seating itself is modular, inspired by how baskets are traditionally stacked in descending sizes. Each piece can be customized in different colour combinations, making the collection highly adaptable and personal.
The exhibition, which runs from January 11th to March 8th, 2025, explores how traditional materials and techniques can be transformed into contemporary design. It brings together lighting, furniture, and art that push the boundaries of craft, proving that age-old techniques still have a place in the modern world.
The Kasera collection speaks to the ability of design to be a bridge between the past and the present. It pays homage to a legacy of craft while carving out new possibilities for the future, ensuring that the spirit of kottan lives on, not just in heirloom baskets, but in the way we live and interact with design today.
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