Handloom Industry in Karnataka - Part-2

Abstract

"Within Karnataka, handlooms have retained their distinct feature. Ranging from Anekal in the border of Bangalore to Ilkal, Bagalkot saree is woven in handloom and is unlike others. Ilkal saree are not like Molakalmuru sarees. This implies that these products have been cultivated from the culture of the respective region. and so, named after their respective region. If the former has urban elegance, the latter has rural district beauty. Ilkal sarees have the essence of working regions like Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belagaam, Dharwad and Hubli. Even the cost of the sarees matters with the standard of living in the rural region. Dhooti of Melukote, and bedsheets of Kotturu are some of the ideal samplings of the place. The traditional silk sarees of Molakalmuru, the silk sarees of Gadag Betgeri and the silk sarees of Bangalore are all different from one another. Betgeri of Gadak is a major centre of handloom production. The speciality of this area is Ilkal saree, Panas saree, gaadi dhadi saree of Betageeri style. Molakalmuuru of Chitradurga is another major producer of handloom cloth in the state. In here, Khogilam to PaTTasaali, padmasaali and sokutrali handlooming is a family profession. Among the Molakalmuuru saris “kottu” is a type which has the unique feature of having two different borders at its extreme and the middle part of the sari is woven using a different ‘Lolly’ and it stands as an incompatibility among other saris for long period.” 18 to 20 denial thread is Molukalmuuru saree. The Molkalmuuru saree is prepared by using thread 3 to 6 plates. This saree is normally 6 yards in length, designs like rudraakshji, hamsa, meaning swan, gaNDabeerunda, Vanki, kamala, meaning lotus, peacock etc. Mulakalmuur in blue and green are always in great demand and in the heat of globalization has not spared handloom products. “Molakalmuur saris are of many varieties, such as ‘ Kalanjali’, Checks, brokets, Half Kalanjali and lord Saris, kottu. The significance of ‘Kottu’ is that it is produced using a lot of colour wash on it called “kalapath”. Ilakal saree has a long history. It is significant that these saree are woven on pick loom at present and have been there since the period of Chalukyas. Ilakaldar Sini saree are especially popular. Sarees have a variety of designs like temple border saree, paras saree, Gaadi dhari saree, cikkibin colour, khadigoomi colour, checks cikki, checks Jari, Checks Gomi have been successful. The loop method is very important in the Ilakal saree. Guleedagudda,baagalkooT is a major production centre of blouse pieces. “Guleda gudda blouse pieces are of great demand in Maharastra, particularly in Solapur and its surrounding districts. These plain designs are in great demand in Aurangabad. Next is double ‘Cardi’ or ‘Chetacardi’ namely being sold across Pune and Amman districts. One does not need to search much to find saree of Ramaamani, BaalmaNi, neelamaNi, Bilipet and baavancu designs. These are very much available around Banglore. The Maharaja of Mysuru is to get gandmeeru sari from Mysore, in Chamundeshwari, by a weaver who lived in the surrounding of North Banglore. Kalapat saree is famous in Banglore and it has a variety of designs like –baavanucu, rudraakshi, fringe lop and others weight is one and a half kg. Melukote Dhooti in Mandya District were popular enough to ask those who wearing Dhoti with blue and red edges, wearing these Dhotis of pure cotton was abided in those days. Kinhal is a tiny hamlet in KushTagi taluk of the Koppal district. This village is involved in handloom weaving, colouring and twisting as the main profession, here, for the weaver. Single carpet, double carpet, and pooja carpet are woven here on a straddle frame loom. Kinhal has successfully demonstrated that carpets can be woven in handloom. Tumminakate is another place where the whole village is engaged in hand-looming. For weaving varieties of khadi fabrics using cotton threads to manufacture the tri-colour flags of the republic of India on a large scale in state of Karnataka. Especially in the private khadi textile industries in Hoobali. There is demand in Germany, Australia, America Africa and other countries for handloom products, especially silk saree in the state. The Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation Limited has been carrying out the responsibility of saving and developing the handloom industry. “In India, there are 53 outlets marketed under the brand name ‘Priyadarshini’. The annual sales turnover being around 1.5 crore metres.” In addition, Karnataka wool handloom cooperative society also exists. There are plenty of wool handlooms in Koppala, Belgaam, Chitradurga and Bellary. The Mahamanadala supports them. Blankets produced in these handlooms are supplied to cold places like Shimla and Indian borders. It is significant that the weavers’ service centre in Oakalipuram, in Banglore, has stood by the weaver. Handloom of Karnataka has a worldwide reputation. "