The Hindu : Front Page : Weavers in Ilampillai go computer-savvy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 01, 2006

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Weavers in Ilampillai go computer-savvy

R. Ilangovan

FUSION: A computer-aided textile designing centre at Ilampillai. - Photo: P. Goutham

SALEM: Gearing up to manufacture value-added designer fabrics, the traditional saree weavers in Ilampillai, known as `Poor man's Kanchi,' have gone computer-savvy. This die-hard traditional weaving pocket, famous for its handloom and polyester silk sarees, is fast shifting towards the production of value-added finished fabrics such as `churidhars' and half sarees for which the computer-aided designing has become the "in-thing." Sourcing the needs, many fabric designing centres have sprung up in and around Ilampillai thus offering a variety of designs at the click of the mouse. "The weavers here were a bit apprehensive when the computer-aided technology was first introduced some four years ago. But today it has become an integral part of the industry," says a design expert who has set up his computer shop near Ilampillai.

Formidable overseas challenge, particularly from China, has prompted the weavers to shrug off their "shell-like" complacency and go for "sweeping modernisation."

A majority of them now prefer shuttleless looms instead of ordinary ones. At a time when poor wages and less patronage have taken the toll on the `Ilampillai' sarees, the weavers have no option but to opt for the production of export-oriented fabrics for which modernisation is essential. Ilampillai today has many power looms.

User-friendly software

"Hence the computer designing enhances the product value," says Duraisamy, who also owns a computer designing centre at Perumakoundanpatti near Ilampillai. Bangalore has been the hub for procuring the required software for such self-styled textile professionals.

"Many software firms are even ready to provide us the user-friendly software to suit our local demands," says another expert in the field. Centres with a minimum of four computers and having three shifts of labour do continuous designing works.

"The Ilampillai's `Apoorva' sarees that are being phased out fast from the market due to stiff competition could also be sustained with latest designs," hopes a designer.

With the increasing involvement of native innovative professionals, the Ilampillai weaving industry hopes to fuse both tradition and modernity to carve out a niche for itself.

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