Saree Weaving - Kasargod, Kerala
Kerala is generally known for its typical type of saree that is especially treasured and worn by every Keralite during any traditional occasions. The other type of saree that is largely known is the checked pattern with colour combination mostly woven in the Kasargod region of Kerala. Kasargod lies in the northern part of Kerala with the Western Ghats at the east and the Arabian Sea in the west of it.
Kerala is itself known as God's own country as it is covered by nature, Kasargod is also part of Kerala that share's the Nature's enchanting beauty. This district of Kerala in India is filled with shrines, forts, hillocks, rivers, and beaches.
It is especially known for the traditional, ethnic and branded saree called the "Kasargod Saree". Long years ago it was specially woven by the Shalia community of people who are said to be settled here in this part of Kerala for weaving in particular for the ruler who had ruled Karnataka long years ago. This typical saree was woven only in Kasargod, therefore, the name was given to it as the Kasargod saree. It is said before there were about 500 families of weavers were the weaving was done at their homes. If the father and mother were weavers then the children also joined them in corroborating the works.
It is said that a weaver used to weave about 5 meters a day especially on the handlooms, nowadays it is reduced to about 1.5 meters a day as many of them have left this craft. Others remaining come to the Kasargod society even after their retirement spending their time in weaving the saree which was their family tradition. Upholding the uniqueness of each product with its colour patterns and borders that are woven here. Mostly woven with the natural fibers such as cotton that are more eco-friendly and edged with the golden zari.
More of Cotton saree's are generally woven due to the climatic conditions of Kerala that are mostly of humid conditions. Art silk sarees of the Kasargod sarees are of fewer numbers compared to the cotton. The Kasargod weaver's society has taken the initiative by training the people from the Schedule Caste and Schedule tribe with a monthly stipend of small amount generally given during their training period. Later on, once the experience is gained the wages are given to them by piece rates or the meter of the cloth woven is given to them.
The master craftsmen's are the old weavers who even now come to this society for weaving and doing the corroborating works in his/ her own way. Though the piece rates or the meter woven are of fewer wages they spend their time in making these saree using their skills which were handed to them by their parents and grandparents.
