This history of Pankha, a type of handheld fan, is traced back to the ancient times for use in temples to fan deities, by attendants to fan kings and by women to fan their husbands while serving lunch or dinner. There is a mention of fans in the Mahabharata and also in the Bible. In its original sense in South Asia, Pankha (or Punkah) is typically made from a single frond of Palmyra palm or a woven square of bamboo strips, rattan or other plant fibre, that can be rotated or fanned.

These Pankhas reflect the aesthetics of the womenfolk of Manjitha. Colorful and painstakingly handcrafted, these make for stunning gifts! Tall wild grass growing along canals and ponds in the village is torn apart and used as the raw material for these Pankhas. Locally it is referred to as Moonja/ Chirwa/ Pharra. Several other materials including cloth, bamboo, palm leaf, straw and mat are also used.

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