Fabric weaves from Andhra

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsAs the festive season nears, the city is being brightened by bolts of handloom fabric from the weavers of Andhra Pradesh. Mangalagiri fabric in traditional bright colours and shot colours, where different colours are woven in the length and breadth of the fabric are on display.Dastkar Andhra, along with its sister organisations Dastkar Andhra Marketing Association (DAMA) and dãram, have organised the exhibition and sale of cotton handlooms at the Lalit Kala Akademi from August 8 till 11.Yardages, saris, dupattas and a range of women’s wear will be on display. Kalamkari print on kora and coloured fabrics and dupattas along with traditional vat indigo and natural dyed fabrics in plain, striped and checked designs are part of the natural dye range. These start from `130 per metre, and depending on the type of weave, can go to more than `300. Dress materials are also available in azo free chemical dye range, for around the same cost. The readymade range of salwars, churidhars and kurtas are pre-shrunk. Coordinated dress materials are available at `800 and above per set.Explaining the work of Dastkar Andhra and DAMA, a representative said, “Our vision is to establish handloom as a viable livelihood, product and technology. We work with weaver cooperative societies and DAMA sells the off-the-loom products to help maximise returns to the weavers themselves. Our business revenue model attempts to break the negative perceptions of the handloom industry — that it is a subsidised declining industry which works on outdated technology and has little, if any, market value.”She also said that once people started using handloom, that becomes their fabric of choice. “In Chennai, we have exhibitions twice a year, and we have our regular customers who drop in and make purchases. Several bulk orders from retailers and wholesalers are also common,” she says, pointing out to a huge pile of bundles that have already been picked out on the first day of the exhibition.Speaking of the city’s favourite designs, she says, “Chennai loves traditional designs — kalamkari, borders and natural dyes. Fabric use is very individual oriented, so the same type of yardage can be used for clothing or home decor. That way, the products available here are versatile.”While none of the weavers are here to market their products, DAMA and Dastkar Andhra are on a mission to ensure that the industry does not fade away.first published:January 01, 1970, 05:30 ISTlast updated:January 01, 1970, 05:30 IST
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As the festive season nears, the city is being brightened by bolts of handloom fabric from the weavers of Andhra Pradesh. Mangalagiri fabric in traditional bright colours and shot colours, where different colours are woven in the length and breadth of the fabric are on display.

Dastkar Andhra, along with its sister organisations Dastkar Andhra Marketing Association (DAMA) and dãram, have organised the exhibition and sale of cotton handlooms at the Lalit Kala Akademi from August 8 till 11.

Yardages, saris, dupattas and a range of women’s wear will be on display. Kalamkari print on kora and coloured fabrics and dupattas along with traditional vat indigo and natural dyed fabrics in plain, striped and checked designs are part of the natural dye range. These start from `130 per metre, and depending on the type of weave, can go to more than `300. Dress materials are also available in azo free chemical dye range, for around the same cost. The readymade range of salwars, churidhars and kurtas are pre-shrunk. Coordinated dress materials are available at `800 and above per set.

Explaining the work of Dastkar Andhra and DAMA, a representative said, “Our vision is to establish handloom as a viable livelihood, product and technology. We work with weaver cooperative societies and DAMA sells the off-the-loom products to help maximise returns to the weavers themselves. Our business revenue model attempts to break the negative perceptions of the handloom industry — that it is a subsidised declining industry which works on outdated technology and has little, if any, market value.”

She also said that once people started using handloom, that becomes their fabric of choice. “In Chennai, we have exhibitions twice a year, and we have our regular customers who drop in and make purchases. Several bulk orders from retailers and wholesalers are also common,” she says, pointing out to a huge pile of bundles that have already been picked out on the first day of the exhibition.

Speaking of the city’s favourite designs, she says, “Chennai loves traditional designs — kalamkari, borders and natural dyes. Fabric use is very individual oriented, so the same type of yardage can be used for clothing or home decor. That way, the products available here are versatile.”

While none of the weavers are here to market their products, DAMA and Dastkar Andhra are on a mission to ensure that the industry does not fade away.