About Pochampally
Pochampally Saree
or Pochampalli Ikat is a saree made in Bhoodan Pochampally, Nalgonda district, Telangana State, India. They are popular for their traditional geometric patterns in Ikat style of dyeing. The intricate geometric design find their way into the hands of skilled weavers and make it to the market as beautiful sarees and dress material.
The Indian government’s official air carrier, Air India air hostesses wear specially designed pochampally silk sarees.The popular Indian model, former Miss World and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore a Pochampally saree on her wedding and reception. The weavers silk and cotton princely priced but the fair share is not shared with weavers, pushing them to poverty.
History
Pochampally sarees have been popular since early 1800s. In 19th century popular with traders in the silk route which symbolised luxury and power. Found place in UNESCO tentative list of world heritage sites as part of ‘iconic saree weaving clusters of India’.
Weave
Pochampally Ikat uniqueness lies in the transfer of intricate design and colouring onto warp and weft threads first and then weave them together globally known as Tie and Dye textiles. The fabric is cotton, silk and sico – a mix of exquisite silk and cotton. Increasingly, the colours themselves are from natural sources and their blends.
Industry
Pochampally, a cluster of 80 villages, has traditional looms, whose design is more than a century-old. Today this Silk City, which is more of a cottage industry, is home to more than 10,000 weaving families in 100 villages. The fabric is marketed through the cooperative society, many other linked organizations, the master weavers and the business houses.
Pochampally does more than Rs.10,00,000,00 annual business in terms of yarn sales, purchase of handloom products and sales. The government in 2010 divided the belt into two clusters, and is proving common weaving centres. Because of its unique design efforts are on to revive the dying art.
Geographical indication rights
Pochampally saree received Intellectual Property Rights Protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2005. Pochampally Ikat be the registered property of Handloom Weavers and the Handloom Tie and Dye Silk Sarees Manufacturers Association.
Modern Use
Popular designers like Rahul Mishra are showing keen interest in the geometrical design of Ikat, the designer dresses are for sale in the exclusive stores located at all across India.
New products include home furnishings like curtains, table covers, utility related boxes, tissue paper boxes, ladies bags, photo frames, belts and necklaces.