Udupi Saree Revival Project
In 2018 Trust started working for the Revival of GI tagged Udupi Saree Weaving which is practiced in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada Districts of Karnataka. The unique local livelyhood was on the verge of exticntion due to various reasons. Trust started working keeping Talipady Weavers Service Co Op Society, Kinnigoli as base. The Trust employed a multi-pronged strategy to revive the dying art form by attracting weavers old and new. In order to instil confidence in the weavers, the management of the society was convinced to increase the prices of the sarees so that the weavers could earn better remuneration for their efforts. Simultaneously, a steady demand for these genuine handloom products was assured using social media and other platforms. Buyers were offered greater choice through design intervention. Udupi Sarees dyed using natural dyes were introduced for the first time and commanded higher prices. To recognise the contribution of weavers, trust started giving awards like ‘Nekara Ratna’ and ‘Uttama Nekara’ to dedicated weavers and also honoured many artisans including allied workers on special occasions. Few Highly skilled weavers were recommended for national and state level awards from different organisations.
A beautiful logo was created for the Udupi Saree by an accomplished artist, K. J. Sachidananda. A label bearing the logo with the name and picture of the weaver along with other relevant information about the product was attached to every saree. This label while connecting the buyer with the weaver did wonders to the self-esteem of the weavers. Inspired by this know-your-weaver initiative, many people from various walks of life proudly draped Udupi Sarees and published their photos on different social media platforms. As the brand awareness of Udupi Sarees rose, orders poured in not only from all over India but also from abroad.
The successful revival of the Udupi Saree was possible through the dedicated work of Kadike Trust under the dedicated leadership of its president Mamatha Rai and the secretary, B.C.Shetty. The Trust conducted training programmes for new weavers for the first time in two decades. Later, with the help of financial support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), longer and more comprehensive training programmes were conducted covering pre-loom and post-loom operations. These programmes spread over six months, comprised every aspect of the making of the Udupi Saree such as dyeing, winding, designing, warping, weaving, starching and butta-making as well as packing and mailing to distant customers. Trainees were also trained in block printing, screen printing butta-making, embroidery, ikkat-designing, etc by renowned resource persons. One male member was intensively trained in dyeing since there were only two dyers left in the two districts. The Trust is providing hand-holding support to the newly trained weavers by giving them wage compensation until they attain sufficient speed to earn decent wages.
The Trust has supported the weavers and allied workers in their hour of need. It has provided financial assistance to some weavers who underwent eye surgery and other medical emergencies. It has also helped a weaver who had an orthopaedic issue to get cured and resume her work. It has aided some weavers who faced natural calamities and helped two weavers to construct a loom shed. It has given wage compensation to the newly trained weavers who joined the Talipady Weavers Society as members until they could earn a decent wage. It has also given honorarium to the comeback weavers and to the weavers who tried new design natural sarees. Believing in the overall development of artisans, the Trust initiated awareness programs on personality development, personal hygiene, dental and physical health, etc. It supports artisans to participate in various exhibitions held across the state.
The Trust gave ten looms to the Talipady weavers’ society. It trained many weavers in dyeing using natural dyes. Selco Foundation in pursuit of its mission of supporting rural livelihoods donated a solar powered equipment’s like water heater, dryer, pulveriser etc. required for natural dyeing along with the solar powered winding & lighting systems for the benefit of artisans.
Many famous temples adorned their deities in Udupi Sarees as a result of the campaign to save the Udupi Saree. Many Textile and design institutes including the NIFT, NID, MAHE sends their students for projects regarding the Udupi Saree under the guidance of Mamatha Rai. Trust coordinated with GI office Chennai and VTPC Bengaluru and helped five weavers’ societies to obtain GI authorisation for Udupi Sarees. Trust helped weavers in getting Solar lighting unit, Loom accessories and loom sheds by coordinating with Weavers Service centre and Handloom Department.