Goa, Feb. 16 -- JENIFER FERNANDES

joseph@herald-goa.com

QUEPEM: In an era where modern comforts and mass-produced goods dominate the market, Laxmi Narayan Velip, a resident of Quepem, is preserving a centuries-old Goan tradition-the art of weaving Mandri, the handmade coconut leaf mat. Having dedicated over six decades to this craft, she continues to uphold a legacy that her family has nurtured for more than a century.

Velip's daily routine revolves around the painstaking process of weaving Mandri, a craft that requires both patience and skill. The process begins with sourcing coconut leaves, which are then stripped, dried, and meticulously woven together. The midrib of the leaf is removed, and strips are carefully arranged before bein...