Handloom is no longer a lucrative business, but I don’t know of any other vocation. I tried to be different and experimented with these alternate fibers, says Shekhar, who hails from a family of Telugu-speaking Chettiars – weavers for generations. He also claims the medicinal properties of the natural fibers prove to be healthy too, e.g aloe vera for the skin.
Shekhar sells his sarees in Chennai and Bangalore. “Recently
I got orders from Delhi, but I couldn’t accept it as I don’t have enough manpower.” Even though many government officials have visited this place, no government support has come through for him or the thirty odd families involved in it. “This could be developed into good business with government aid. It could benefit the agricultural workers too for they’ll get to supply raw materials. Besides, these sarees are eco-friendly,” he reminds.
But what about durability of the sarees? “Better than silk sarees... No one has complained yet,” states Shekhar.
As Shekhar plans to extend his repertoire to include shirts, he hopes to get the attention he deserves. Meanwhile, pointing at the four women spinning away at their respective handlooms, he said, “This is women’s empowerment too. But no one is listening,” laments Shekhar. With the landlord hankering him to vacate the current premises with his wife and children before month end, his list of woes only seems to get longer.
As the heat under the asbestos roofing became unbearable, I left after placing an order for an aloe vera saree. It was the least that could be done…
Shekhar sells his sarees in Chennai and Bangalore. “Recently
I got orders from Delhi, but I couldn’t accept it as I don’t have enough manpower.” Even though many government officials have visited this place, no government support has come through for him or the thirty odd families involved in it. “This could be developed into good business with government aid. It could benefit the agricultural workers too for they’ll get to supply raw materials. Besides, these sarees are eco-friendly,” he reminds.But what about durability of the sarees? “Better than silk sarees... No one has complained yet,” states Shekhar.
As Shekhar plans to extend his repertoire to include shirts, he hopes to get the attention he deserves. Meanwhile, pointing at the four women spinning away at their respective handlooms, he said, “This is women’s empowerment too. But no one is listening,” laments Shekhar. With the landlord hankering him to vacate the current premises with his wife and children before month end, his list of woes only seems to get longer.
As the heat under the asbestos roofing became unbearable, I left after placing an order for an aloe vera saree. It was the least that could be done…
No comments:
Post a Comment