JOIN USTamil Nadu is a prominent state in the handloom sector, having 2.5 lakh handloom weavers. There are 1,300 handloom weavers cooperative societies in the southern state which produces exquisite, traditional and contemporary varieties of hand-woven fabrics.
Giving Delhiites an opportunity to buy these traditional handloom products, Tamil Nadu Handloom Expo was recently organised at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri. To visitors’ surprise these items were priced same as that at the producer’s sale counters in Tamil Nadu.
The expo was organised by the Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu to provide an opportunity to the city residents to access these unique fabrics and impetus to the weavers practising the craft.
About 40 selected pioneer handloom weavers’ societies participated and displayed their selected varieties. To attract customers, they introduced new designs and colour combinations in traditional wear.
On display were most sought after sarees from Kanchipuram ,Thirubuvanam, Arani and Paramakkudi. From Dindigul were soft silk and kora silk sarees.
Considering that summer is knocking at the door, weavers brought good collection of cotton sarees from Coimbatore and Salem. Also, dominating these stalls were Angavastrams, cotton lungies and silk dhoties for men.
Handloom weavers from Erode and Chennimalai region brought their traditional cotton bed sheets, bed spreads, pillow covers, towels and welcome floor mats. What attracted visitors in these stalls were carpets of Bhavani and Ganapathipalayam area.
However, the weavers, not well versed with the Hindi language, couldn’t tell the tales behind them joining the craft. For visitor discounts came as a surprise, “We are excited about the discounts that are being offered varying from 20 to 50 per cent on the original products,” says Kamini Duggal, a homemaker.
DHNS