Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 26: This city has a perennial emotional connection with handloom. However, in the recent past, there has been a sharp decline in the number of people who work on handlooms. Sari, which represents Indian culture and Udupi saris are well-known the world over. Either because of lackadaisical approach of the government or the condition of the weavers, the skillful embroidery and art work has been slinking into the oblivion gradually. But there is demand even now for these saris. The fact that a few elders, who are determined that the work done by their forefathers and inherited by them should not be abandoned, continue to weave at their homes brings some sense of satisfaction.

Mahalasa Kini, an MBA degree holder from here, now plans to take these saris to another level. Mahalasa, who is from Anant Nagar, Manipal, after completing MBA degree, is now keen on promoting handloom. She started her own online market business for marketing handloom saris. She has named her concern, MALSI (sustainable lifestyle brand). After completing her education, she toured the state and other states to collect detailed information about handlooms. She not only increased the work of the weavers, but also has learnt the art of weaving with handlooms. She has bought a weaving machine which she has installed at her home. She has been introducing design saris to customers.

Mahalasa was working for a corporate company in Mumbai before getting into handloom business. She creates designs and gives the work of weaving saris to those who work in the handloom weavers association at Udupi, Kinnigoli and Shivalli. Her new design saris have good demand. She has created a new trend that gives rise to interest among the customers and imagination of youth. Many customers have been clicking their photos with handloom saris on, and uploading them on social media.

Mahalasa has learnt the art of weaving from Keshava Shettigar from Korangrapady who has the experience of having done weaving work for five decades.

Mahalasa says that handloom sari from Udupi feels like having some emotional relationship that is an integral part of her life. "Some saris our ancestors wore are even now carefully preserved by some families. I had interest in handloom saris which depict our culture, since my college days. I have been working to see that weavers get more work. Corona period enabled me to create an interest and awareness about handloom saris. There is demand for hand-woven saris, and in future, I will be introducing new designs," she added.

Keshava Shettigar says that many weavers are working on handloom just because they do not want to abandon something their ancestors were doing. He said that it has not remained a job that can bring some income, and therefore, youngsters are not interested in this work. He said that encouragement from the government is needed and the field can survive only if the government ensures that grants are provided to weavers on time.