Once A Weaving Hub, Why Tamil Nadu’s Trichy Now Has Only One Woman Weaver

Throughout the Chola dynasty, Uraiyur was famend for its weaving business. At present, a spot known as Weaver’s Colony in Uraiyur nonetheless exists, preserving the historic weaving heritage. The Rajakesari Freeway, a distinguished commerce route that commenced on the Palakkad Move within the Western Ghats on the western coast, prolonged via Urayur to the Bhoompukar port on the jap coast.

Within the historic interval, boat site visitors between Uraiyur and Poompuhar was widespread, navigating via the Cauvery River. This waterway served as a significant route for transporting inland cargo through boats. The textile cloth produced in Chola Nadu was extremely wanted worldwide. However within the current day, the enterprise of boat transport alongside this route has considerably declined, with solely Indrani, a 75-year-old lady from Weaver’s Colony, as the only real practitioner of this commerce.

Expressing her views on the matter, Indrani defined, “I’ve been concerned in handloom weaving for nearly 60 years with my household. I didn’t obtain a proper training as a result of it has been our household’s enterprise for generations. My son and daughter-in-law have additionally carried on the custom. Sadly, the hovering price of cotton yarn has made it difficult for us to maintain this enterprise profitably.”

Individuals engaged within the handloom weaving sector typically sought alternatives in locations like Karur and Tiruppur. These people earned roughly Rs 600 per day, a sum that coated all their bills, together with the price of textbooks. For a lot of, their livelihoods hinged on the success of this business.

All through historical past, ladies weavers have performed a vital function within the conventional handloom weaving business. Sadly, their substantial contributions typically go unnoticed since weaving primarily happens throughout the properties of those artisans. Moreover, adjustments within the handloom sector, amongst different elements, have additional marginalised ladies inside this area.

In India, handlooms symbolize cultural wealth and the talent of weavers worldwide. Weavers traditionally had sturdy bargaining energy, however the Industrial Revolution weakened it, leading to financial challenges. Handlooms, as soon as profitable and culturally wealthy, are actually barely sustainable. It has been going through challenges because the introduction of energy looms, resulting in struggles for each the heads of handloom societies and the weavers.