Kuthampully is a small village located in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is well-known for its traditional handloom weaving industry which has been in existence for over 500 years. Kuthampully weavers are renowned for their unique and intricate designs woven into cotton and silk fabrics. The weavers in Kuthampully always maintain their traditional way of weaving and have passed on their skills from generation to generation. Today, the Kuthampully sarees and mundus are in great demand not only in Kerala but also in other parts of India and abroad.
History of Kuthampully Weaving
The Kuthampully weavers are proficient artisans who have mastered the art of handloom weaving through years of practice and dedication. The history of Kuthampully can be traced back to the 18th century when the village was under the rule of the Cochin Kingdom. It is considered that the weaving tradition in the village was started by the weavers who migrated from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. These weavers settled in Kuthampully and started weaving clothes for the local population. The weaving industry in Kuthampully is believed to have originated during the reign of King Shakthan Thampuran, who invited weavers from Tamil Nadu to settle in the region and establish a weaving industry.
Over time, the weaving industry in Kuthampully grew and became a significant source of livelihood for the people in the village. The weavers started producing traditional Kerala sarees and set mundus using locally available materials like cotton and silk. The unique feature of the Kuthampully set sarees and mundus is the use of golden zari (thread made of gold) in the borders and designs.
Why Kuthampully Weaving is Remarkable?
The weavers in Kuthampully use traditional handloom techniques to weave fabrics that are known for their distinctively rich texture and intricate designs. They use high-quality cotton and silk yarns that are sourced from various parts of the country. The fabrics are then dyed using natural colors that are extracted from plants and herbs.
The weavers in Kuthampully specialize in weaving various fabrics including Mundus (a traditional garment worn by men in Kerala), sarees, dhotis, and towels. The Kerala saree woven by the Kuthampully weavers is particularly famous for its unique designs and patterns. They are woven using a variety of techniques such as kasavu (a type of border design), kara (a type of zari design), and kalamkari (a type of hand-painted design).
One of the unique features of the Kuthampully weaving industry is the use of pit looms. The weavers sit on the ground and use their feet to operate the looms. This technique requires a great deal of skill and concentration and is passed down from generation to generation.
Despite the popularity of machine-made fabrics, the demand for Kuthampully handloom fabrics continues to remain strong. The weavers in Kuthampully are committed to preserving their traditional craft and continue to produce high-quality fabrics that customers worldwide appreciate.
Conclusion
In recent years, the government has recognized the importance of supporting the handloom weaving industry in India and has taken various initiatives to promote and preserve this traditional craft. This has given a boost to the Kuthampully weaving industry and has helped to create new opportunities for the weavers in the region. This move from the government has increased the demand for Kuthampully sarees.
The Kuthampully weavers are a testament to the rich weaving traditions of India. Their commitment to preserving their craft and producing high-quality fabrics is an inspiration to all those who appreciate traditional art forms. The unique designs and patterns of Kuthampully fabrics continue to attract customers from all over the world, making it an important part of India's cultural heritage.
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