PAU students turn stubble into art
In an initiative to repurpose agricultural waste, students of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) College of Community Science are transforming stubble — often viewed as a menace — into stunning works of art and functional objects.
These students have woven stubble into an array of beautiful items, including jewellery such as bracelets and earrings, as well as practical household items like baskets, plant keepers, coasters, pen/pencil holders, stools, beds, curtain rings, and wall hangings.
The wall hangings, created by pasting cut-outs from paddy straw sheets, showcase intricate designs including boats, birds and revered portraits of Lord Shiva, Ganesh and Buddha. These pieces of art are not only aesthetically appealing but can also enhance the ambiance of any room they adorn. A traditional sehra—a decorative headdress worn by Punjabi grooms on their wedding day—was also crafted from stubble by the students.
In an innovative twist, the students have even ventured into the creation of organic Holi colours for rangoli by mixing finely powdered stubble with turmeric, spinach and indigo.
This project began five years ago following a field visit to Doraha, where farmers expressed their struggle with stubble management. The students, motivated to address the stubble burning crisis, have used their creativity to highlight the importance of sustainable practices.
“Punjab is grappling with the severe issue of stubble burning, and the government is putting in significant efforts to tackle this problem. Alongside this, PAU students are doing their part by raising awareness and turning stubble into useful and beautiful objects. Their efforts, though small today, can make a lasting difference in resolving the issue in the long term. Moreover, this initiative holds the potential to economically empower women if they choose to take up the craft of making products from stubble,” explained Dr Sharanbir Kaur Bal, professor and head of the Department of Resource Management and Consumer Science at the College of Community Science.
The stubble is first turned into strings, which are then woven into stools, beds, table mats and doormats. For creating artwork, paddy straw is washed, dried, and ironed to form sheets, which are then pasted onto butter paper. These sheets are cut into desired shapes and sizes, and the final pieces are varnished to ensure their longevity.
This creative solution is a shining example of how a commonly discarded agricultural by-product can be transformed into functional art, all while tackling the environmental issue of stubble burning in Punjab.
