The Silk Utsav 2012 will be organised from October 31 to November 5 to promote traditional silk weaves and to create a platform for weavers across the country

The five-day festival is jointly conducted by the Department of Sericulture and Apple Events.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Somashekar, former director of Central Silk Board, said the event is aimed at encouraging use of silk fabrics among youngsters.  Somashekar has been a part of the annual event for the past three years. The event will bring together as many as 25 handloom societies from Karnataka alone in addition to silk weavers from across the country. Though mulberry silk is popular in Bangalore, the expo will showcase other traditional varieties of silk including Tussar, Muga and Eri silks from other parts of the country.

The exhibition, moreover, is being organised to celebrate the centenary celebrations of the Mysore Silk Factory.

“We plan to display 100 designs popularised by the factory to commemorate hundred years of its inception,” Somashekar said. Visitors will  have a glimpse of  Simhasana’ silk sarees, woven with twisted silk yarn employing korvai technique (with three shuttles).

While ‘Pushpahara’ is another variety on display woven with as many as 1,46,600 punched cards and 1,920 hooks on a handloom. In 2010 as many as 25,000 visitors registered their presence. During the second year in 2011, the numbers increased to 35,000, he said. “This year, however, we are expecting a greater participation,” said Somashekar noting that Bangalore is one of the biggest markets for silk fabric in the country.