Now Reading: Kerala’s iconic Kasavu handloom faces survival crisis
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Kerala’s iconic Kasavu handloom faces survival crisis
Kerala's iconic Kasavu handloom, famed for its cream-coloured sarees with gold borders worn by actors, politicians, and Malayalis during Onam and Vishu celebrations, is struggling to survive. The Deccan Herald reports that…
The Story in Brief
Kerala's iconic Kasavu handloom, famed for its cream-coloured sarees with gold borders worn by actors, politicians, and Malayalis during Onam and Vishu celebrations, is struggling to survive. The Deccan Herald reports that despite its popularity, the looms are falling silent as the industry faces a crisis. Factors include competition from cheaper powerloom imitations, rising raw material costs, and a shortage of skilled weavers due to younger generations leaving the trade for better-paying jobs.
The Indian Opinion
Kerala's kasavu saree remains a cultural symbol, but the industry's struggles are often romanticised. The narrative of a 'dying art' ignores the real economic pressures: cheap powerloom imitations flood the market, and younger weavers seek better-paying jobs. The debate should focus not just on heritage but on livelihood sustainability. A key test will be whether the government can enforce the GI tag strictly and offer direct income support to weavers, not just subsidies for looms.
Source: deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
