The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A range of handloom products from A.P.

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Sunday, Apr 06, 2008
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Karnataka - Bangalore

A range of handloom products from A.P.

Staff Reporter

The exhibition will begin on April 8

It is being organised by Dastkar Andhra
‘Weaving is an alternative to farming’

Bangalore: Handloom industry is the second largest employer in the country after agriculture.

And Andhra Pradesh claims a prominent place in the industry with two lakh weavers and thousands of others involved in ancillary activities.

Now Dastkar Andhra, in its annual exhibition and sales, will bring to the city a collection of cotton handloom, block printed dress material, dupattas, cotton khadi, and naturally dyed fabric as well as a new range of furnishings from Andhra Pradesh.

Dastkar Andhra is a non-profit organisation, which works to promote the handloom cotton industry.

While their marketing association works with handloom cooperatives and independent weaver groups from the State, their design studio gives weavers, textile designers and dyers new ideas for their handlooms.

Demand

Even though the demand for handlooms is growing, there is a need to recognise the potential of rural livelihoods and to re-energise them, Latha Tummuru of the Dastkar Andhra Marketing Association, told presspersons here on Saturday. “Weaving is also an important alternative to farming, especially in drought-prone areas, and we hope to bring non-traditional weavers into the activity,” she said.

Advantages

The advantages are many. “Operating a handloom does not require power and minimum resources are used in producing the fabric. Even in terms of the national economy, the capital investment for handloom is low, and can help generate livelihood opportunities,” Ms. Tummuru said.

The exhibition will be held at Safina Plaza between April 8 and 13 from 10.30 a.m.

For more information, email dama_andhra@ rediffmail.com

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