Handloom Exhibition inaugurated in Ooty
In a press release, the district administration said that handloom textiles woven by artisans from the Nilgiris and Coimbatore belonging to the Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers' Co-operative Society (Co-Optex) were being exhibited at the RCTC hall. Silk and cotton saris as well as GI-tagged handloom products, including Toda embroidery were exhibited at the hall at a discount of 20 per cent.
The Collector presented mementos to three members of the Toda community who had woven the most number of Toda-embroidered pieces of clothing, the press release added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Kolinji to join GI-tag awaiting products from Kerala
One more agricultural product from Kerala will join the league of products awaiting Geographical Indication (GI) tag registration. Alpinia galanga, popularly known as wild ginger ('kolinji' or 'malayinji' in Malayalam), will soon find its way to the GI tag registry, with the Intellectual Property Rights Cell (IPR Cell) of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) all set to submit the documents to the GI registry to get the GI tag for the produce. Alpinia galanga is widely cultivated in parts of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki, where farmers cultivate it as an intercrop on rubber plantations. The rhizome of the ginger has many applications in traditional medicines. This is one of the major ingredients in several pain balms, said Namboodiri Raji Vasudevan, assistant professor and head of the IPR Cell, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara. The farmers engaged in Alpinia galanga cultivation here have been tapping the export market as it has a dedicated market in southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Moderately shady locations with moist soil rich in organic matter with good drainage are ideal for the cultivation of this variety. This plant is also helpful for the farmers in man-animal conflict zones as it is considered a repellent to animals such as monkeys. On the waiting list Already seven handicraft items such as Metal Crafts of Mannar (Kerala), Killimangalam Kora Grass Mats, Tholpavakoothu of Palakkad, Wood Carving Crafts of Cherpu, Nettipattam of Kerala, Straw Picture Crafts of Kollam, Beypore Uru (Boat), and two textile products—Chendamangalam Cotton Sarees and Palakkad Saree—from the State are awaiting the GI tag as per the provisions of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The GI tag has already been granted to 697 products from the country and outside till August 1, 2025. Out of these, 658 are from India and 39 are from foreign countries. Interestingly, registration for another 659 products are pending before the office of the GI Registry. Twenty-three agricultural products, two food items—Central Travancore Jaggery and Marayoor Jaggery, and 16 handicraft products, including three logos, from the State have received GI tags. Even as the GI-registered products enjoy an enhanced market visibility, a strong legal framework is also imperative to protect the unique products of the State, say experts.
Fashion Value Chain
4 days ago
- Fashion Value Chain
The Back-strap Renaissance: Reclaiming Northeast India's Loom Legacy
Ms. Mamatha G P K Associate Professor, Pearl Academy The textile and fashion industries are continually and overwhelmingly growing, at the same time the rate at which fast fashion consumption has increased is alarming. While trying to strike a balance amidst these fashion cycles, another challenge is restoring and reviving numerous traditional textiles, their techniques of production, and the embroideries of India. Our country has a vast and strong cultural heritage, where many of our products are GI-tagged to preserve their authenticity. The efforts to hold to traditional textiles bring out a lot of opportunities, like improving the standard of living for artisans and technicians involved in creating these fabrics, the economic development by widening the market, commodities catered to an international market and carving a niche in the global fashion sector. The handloom legacy of India's enriched part- the northeast has a vibrantly alive craft, as well as its cultural identity. Each tribal community has a list of their distinct techniques and motifs, which are passed on to generations, mainly women, only by word of mouth for more than 800 years. For example, Northeast has a total of over 200 documented tribes, and Tripura alone has 19 recognised tribes (The Sentinel). The backstrap or loin loom illustrated in Figure 1, a portable device anchored by the weaver's body, is central to many tribal practices in this region. It enables intricate patterns despite producing only 1–2 meters daily, far below typical handloom capacity (The Sentinel). The beauty of this art was limited to the women of the house, an evident matriarchal practice in the region. The interesting fact here was that women always weaved for themselves, and it was one of the essential skills to be eligible for marital alliances. However, this practice was not just limited to the commoners; even royal families chose their brides based on the most skilled weaver in the region. Fig 1: Backstrap/ loin loom Innovation & Sustainability in Handloom Practices Handloom Meets Tech DigiBunai CAD system empowers weavers to convert designs digitally onto looms ( NSN ). Microsoft's AI 'Ruuh' introduces trend-aware weaves to artisans, supporting contemporary market needs ( NSN ). Sustainable Silks & Natural Dyes Meghalaya's Eri ('Peace Silk') production is fully women-led and dyed using 33 native plants. Two GI tags awarded in 2025 are boosting its profile ( Wikipedia ). Lampas weaving, rooted in Assamese religious traditions, has been revived by NEHHDC, reconnecting artisans with centuries-old heritage ( ). Social Innovation & Digitisation NEHHDC's 2023 MoU with the UK's Tide platform is introducing AI/IoT and ERP for 800+ clusters, improving financial inclusion and scalability ( ). Digital platforms like Amazon Karigar and ONDC empower Gen Z-led brands (Eka, Anavila) to market globally ( Images Bof ). Social Impact & Employment Data The Fourth All-India Handloom Census (2019–20) shows 88.7% of weaving households located in rural areas; only 26% had all-weather roads ( Images Bof ). Across India, handloom employs ~26 lakh weavers (down from 43 lakh in 1995). In the Northeast, ~65% of operational looms are found there ( Ias Gyan ). Women constitute ~77% of workers overall; in the Northeast, they account for ~49%. Fig 2: Weaving by Women Table 1: Weaving in the Northeastern states Conservation of Backstrap Loom Weaving Technique longevity: Archaeological and ethnographic evidence in Nagaland, Manipur (dated from the Bronze Age to the contemporary) validates centuries-old usage ( MAP Academy ). Educational workshops: Initiatives like Exotic Echo's youth classes foster intergenerational transfer ( mint ). Designer collaborations: Contemporary fashion integrated with loin loom fabrics (e.g., Jenjum Gadi, Dimapur) have enhanced market relevance ( Vogue India ). Tilla- a design studio in Ahmedabad, put enormous effort into throwing light on the lost art of Risha and Rignai. Risha- commonly called the breast cloth, which was lost to modern silhouettes. Challenges & Realistic Suggestions Challenges Low productivity: Backstrap looms yield only ~2 m/day vs 7 m on regular handlooms ( Vogue India ). Infrastructure deficits: Vast rural clusters remain poorly connected (only 26% roads) ( Images Bof ). Market fragility: Consumers lack awareness of value; power looms dominate due to price sensitivity. Resource scarcity: Financial and raw material access remains inadequate ( Ias Gyan ). Solutions Cluster development: Build 1–2 integrated loom hubs with proper transport, power, AI-enabled design units like DigiBunai. Financial inclusion: Scale Tide-like initiatives; offer microcredit and direct subsidies for GI fabrics (Eri, Lampas). Skill & heritage education: Expand youth workshops tied to school curricula; support designer-artisan mentorships. Digital marketing: Boost SHGs' online presence via ONDC and Amazon Karigar; storytelling focuses on differentiating handmade goods ( NSN , , Images Bof ). Eco-certification & global branding: Promote GI, natural-dyeing, 'peace silk' narratives for premium export positioning. Conclusion Handloom in Northeast India weaves heritage with innovation—through backstrap looms, sustainability, and digital empowerment. While small-scale, labour-intensive, and rural, it carries immense cultural value and potential for ethical, eco-friendly markets. Focused infrastructure, institutional support, and global marketing can scale this centuries-old front row to mainstream, aligning tradition with tomorrow's demand.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
MTR safari vehicles to be converted into battery powered ones
Supriya Sahu and others at the Nilgiris Kuttawddy Centre UDHAGAMANDALAM: The forest department is taking an initiative to convert the safari vehicles in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris to battery powered ones. This initiative would be extended to other forest areas across the state, said additional chief secretary of environment, climate change and forests Supriya Sahu on Monday. Sahu was speaking at the inaugural lecture series organized by the Nilgiris Kuttawddy Centre in Ooty. She emphasized the importance of the govt's role in addressing climate change, stating that it should be institutionalized. She said, 'The Nilgiris has set an example not only for Tamil Nadu but for the entire country in terms of conservation. It has always looked at the bigger picture, starting with the plastic ban 25 years ago and now becoming a carbon-neutral district.' The event also highlighted how Nilgiris entered the Guinness Book of World Records by planting the maximum number of trees in a specific timeframe back in 2001. This achievement is credited to the collaboration between the district administration and the public. Dr Tarun Chhabra, founder of the Nilgiris Kuttawddy Centre, said, 'The centre was started with a focus on public service and is currently involved in scripting the Toda language using Tamil scripts, a project funded by the government of Tamil Nadu. This initiative includes the revitalisation of Toda culture and language and aims at documenting them.' District collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru was among those who attended the event. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
