Mysore Silk
Mysore Silk Saree Weaving:
The silk weaving factory in Mysore, presently owned by KSIC, was established in the year 1912 by the Maharaja of Mysore province, Naalwadi Krishnaraj Wadiar. Initially the silk fabrics were manufactured & supplied to meet the requirements of the royal family and ornamental fabrics to their armed forces. In the initial period the looms and preparatory machines were imported from Switzerland. After India gained Independence the Mysore state Sericulture Dept. took control of the silk weaving factory. In 1980 the Silk weaving factory was handed over to Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Ltd., a Govt. of Karnataka enterprise and is popularly known as KSIC. Under the initiatives of KSIC modernization of silk industry started and still continuing. KSIC is the only organization in the country commanding the entire gamut of silk production right from reeling of cocoons to the weaving of pure silk fabric of various shades and designs, all under one roof. KSIC uses only high quality pure natural silk and 100% pure gold zari. It is located in the heart of the Mysore city and is spread over 17 acres. The raw silk yarn Filatures obtained from T. Narasipura factory and open Market are put through various process and Quality silk products are produced for end user consumption. The factory has an installed capacity of 8,00,000 Mtrs per annum.
The factory today has more than 159 looms. KSIC silk products are well appreciated in the market due to its 100% pure silk blended with 100% pure gold Zari ( 65% of silver & 0.65% of Gold ). The saris manufactured come in varieties to suit the customer tastes viz: Crepe-de-chine, Georgette, Zari printed crepe silk sarees, semi crepe sarees. The sarees are printed or dyed. The sarees come in over 100 different colors and in many number of design combinations. Some of the design combinations are:
• Embroidery Design saree
• Big Butta Pallu Zari
• Rich Pallu Sari Saree
• Jawar Border Saree
• Small Mango Saree
• Zari Printed Saree
• Saree Tissue Saree
• Traditional Zari Saree
• Checked Zari Saree
• Mango Border Saree
• Sunrise Design saree
• Butta Pallu Saree
• Double Line Checks Saree.
Other products of silk include soft silks, hankeys, Neck Ties, Stoles, Cravats, dupion fabrics etc.
The current research makes a case study coverage of Karnataka Silk Industry Corporation (KSIC). The factory started in 1930 under the rulers of Mysore royal families. Currently KSIC has 159 looms, Two warping machines, prim machines and many numbers of preparatory machines. KSIC is in the business of manufacturing quality silk products of various designs. The range of products includes silk sarees, salwar kameej, shirts, kurtas, silk dhotis and men’s ties. Full cooperation was obtained from the management and workers of KSIC during the research visit to KSIC.
