Gadabas are said to be native to the densely forested and hilly terrains of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The tribe possesses vast knowledge about ecology and very well developed skills at craft-making in bamboo. One among their specific utility items is the Murdi, a traditional fish-keeping basket specifically designed for the subsistence nature of the community in places where fishing is an integral part of day-to-day sustenance.
The Murdi is shaped like a jar, having a small neck and a circular open mouth allowing easy ingress and egress of fish. The opening rim has a unique seven-petal reinforcement of split bamboo strips ensuring the strength and structure even in moisture and frequent handling.
The body of the Murdi is tightly and firmly woven using finely prepared bamboo strips, making it strong, water-resistant and creating a tight environment around the fish. It possesses small projections on each of its external sides that can probably be used as grips for carrying or tying ropes when placed in water or for transport. The base of this basket is rectangular, and its corners, four of them have distinct projections, rendering stability to it once placed on the ground.
Murdi is primarily meant for keeping freshly shut fish, thus showing how function-oriented design had been understood by the people of Gadaba. Their resource sustainability and traditionalism with daily practicality are also illustrated through this.