Since its inception in 1965, the National Award for master craftspersons has honoured 714 weavers from all over the country. But, by some quirk of fate, the award panel has failed to notice the excellent workmanship of handloom weavers in Erode and Salem.
According to sources in Erode, not a single weaver from Bhavani and Chennimalai towns — known for carpet and home furnishings respectively — has won the award. The reason for this lies in their moderate income, which does not allow them room for innovation as that, in turn, depends on tapping expensive technology.
Therefore, weavers end up producing handlooms with run-of-the-mill designs which face tough competition in a market that functions on the novelty mantra.
When Fibre2fashion asked Deputy Director in-charge of Handlooms, Periyasamy, as to how weavers from these areas can be equipped with an innovative style of weaving, he said, "To achieve this goal, one particular cluster should be selected from Erode and Salem and be provided assistance."
Rising production cost and stiff global competition has also rendered the handloom industry in areas like Salem unviable. This has stunted weavers' creativity, resulting in their lagging behind others in the award race. Also, their products are unable to compete in the international market.
Commenting on government's efforts to promote these weavers' handloom products both in the domestic and international markets, Periyasamy said, "Government gives subsidy to marketing strategies like exhibitions. It also gives assistance in developing new samples for the export market. For promotion in the domestic sphere, weavers from Erode and Salem can sell their goods through the numerous Co-optex showrooms in the country."
On the issue of sponsoring programmes whereby Indian weavers can be sent abroad to learn new design and techniques, Periyasamy said, "Institutes like NID, NIFT and Weaver's Service Centre are providing guidance to rural craftspersons in adopting latest design strategies."
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