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| COIR SCIENCE & HISTORY |
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Coconut
The coconut palm, has been eulogised as 'Kalpavriksha' the all giving tree in the classics of India. Its fruit is called Lakshmi Phal which is used in most of the social and religious functions in India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, irrespective of whether the palm is grown locally or not. The use of coconut through out India makes it a symbol of national unity and perhaps in the olden times the people of our country or our ancestors might have migrated from a coconut growing area. It is also possible that coconut had been cultivated in many parts of India and the climatic and geographical changes in due course might have caused the confinement of coconut to coastal tracts in the country.
The first recorded history of coconut in the country dates back to Ramayana period. In the Valmiki Ramayana there are references of coconut in the Kishkindha Kanda and Aranya Kanda. It is reported that Ramayana was written by Valmiki sometimes in 3rd century B.C. Generally it is believed that coconut was introduced in India during the post-vedic period.
References have been made on coconut in Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa and Sangam literatures which proves the antiquity of the coconut in India. But its origin in India remains disputed. But Marco Polo, the famous Arab traveler who visited India in the 13th Century called coconut "Indian Nut" and the logic for such a reference needs investigation by historians. Shri. P.K. Balakrishnan a Kerala historian argues that organised coconut a cultivation started in Kerala only after the arrival of Portuguese.
Coir
Coir or Cocos - Nature's wonder fiber is extracted from the protective husk of the Coconut. This golden fibre is spun into a breath-taking range of textured yarn and woven into a spectrum of colourful floor coverings.
The Creation Of A Masterpiece
The husks separated from the nuts, are retted in lagoons up to ten months. The retted husks are then beaten with wooden mallets manually to produce the golden
fiber. The fiber is later spun into yarn on traditional spinning wheels called "Ratts", ready for dyeing and weaving into myriad shades of floor coverings. A score of varieties/grades of coir yarn are produced and each variety is associated with certain specific characteristics, used for industrial, agricultural and domestic applications.
The exhaustive range of floor coverings, hardwearing door mats, durable Mattings and rugs, crush-proof pile carpets, heavy flowered Mourzouks, etc. in a variety of dimensions enhance the elegance of the place of choice.
Coir Geo-Textiles are inexpensive, quick and effective in Civil Engineering practices. Rubberised coir, a blend of coir and latex, offers mattresses and cushioning for restful comfort.
Coir products that are exceptionally functional are virtually irreplaceable when it comes to economy, durability and beauty.
The Wonders of Wonder Fibre
- Moth-proof; resistant to fungi and rot
- Provides excellent insulation against temperature and sound.
- Not easily combustible.
- Flame-retardant.
- Unaffected by moisture and dampness.
- Tough and durable.
- Resilient; springs back to shape even after constant use.
- Totally static free.
- Easy to clean.
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© Copy Right 1999 Shyam Net, Cochin-16 India. All rights reserved. Revised:
April, 2006
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