Women weavers in 10 cooperative societies in the district plan to blend traditional styles with temple motifs and Pochampalli designs to win Amma medal and cash award to be presented to them on International Women’s Day on March 8, and also lure buyers at the national and international level.
Women weavers in Devangar Weavers Cooperative Society in Palani have been weaving cotton saris with new designs. “We have travelled throughout Andhra Pradesh and found Pochampalli designs suitable for blending with our traditional designs. We will introduce a new design for the contest,” said A.M. Mariappan, president of the society.
Women from Gangai Amman Wavers Cooperative Society have identified motifs from temples. The contest would help expose talents of women weavers in remote villages, said S. Ganesh, Manager of the society.
Weavers at Siva Sakthi Handloom Weavers Cooperative and Sales Society have made saris using yarn with natural dye.
The light colours — pale blue, light pink, silver grey — would appeal to high-end customers. Modern designs were used for ‘pallu’ and temple motifs for the borders, said N.M. Hari, society president.
The contest provides a good opportunity for women to present their skills, imagination and innovation so that the Department of Handlooms could tap urban customers. The fusion of designs could be replicated by other societies to meet high-end customers, said handloom officials.
