COME SUMMER, HOMES IN DELHI, INDIA, sport delicate patterned woven bamboo blinds called chiks (pronounced chicks). There are several woven varieties available, some using grass, but the ones that stand out for me are the delicate weblike blinds handwoven using humble bamboo and cotton. Made of thin bamboo strips and bound together by cotton threads, the chiks are available in varying lengths and widths. To the average onlooker, a chik is simple bamboo splits bound together with cotton, but the weaving is time-consuming. Chiks are useful blinds, allowing light and air into the home. They are also low maintenance, needing simply to be wiped with a cloth. When heavier curtains are required, the chiks are lined with a backing of cloth, or even plastic if they are to be used outdoors. They are finished with cotton borders and come with drawstrings so they can be rolled to any height. Chiks may also be used to partition rooms in farmhouses and resorts.
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