What makes the coconut tree stand out from other trees is the wing-like feathers of this tree, people correctly identify it and call it coconut feather instead of coconut leaf. When the wind blows, it looks like they are getting ready to fly somewhere. These feathers are the branches of this tree which has no twigs or branches. Even forty or fifty years ago, when coconuts were scarce, their feathers were used to make wedding chaparas. Feathers were applied to the slabs which were made using walnut wood and boxes. People used to come to our weddings to see this kind of chappara. Siddakkana Ramanna from Namur was the engineer who laid this slab. He used to stand in front and applaud like a mathematician without any hesitation. People of our generation who used to give Saat to him remember him a lot.
Anegalu Siddappa, who used to beautifully knit chatter mats from raw coconut feathers and simbe used for the base of pots, wades and bowls from twisted feathers, is a beautiful memory. If we search on our atta, we find the simbes knitted by Siddappa in an orphaned state. What is equal to the magic of stories that our grandmother used to tell under the night sky while sitting on mats woven by Siddappa? Mats were woven from selected dry coconut feathers and used to dry agricultural produce. There is no use of tarpaulin and plastic sheets. I heard our companions saying that there was no one who could surpass us in weaving such mats. These mats of ours were wide and firm. While talking, the branches of the mat's forehead were getting bigger and bigger.
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