Kerala - Chendamangalam handlooms
- Nidhi Shegokar
- Aug 28, 2023
- 2 min read
Chendamangalam, an ancient handloom town in Kerala located 35 km from Kochi, has gained renown for its traditional saris, dhotis, and set-mundus. These textile products have received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2011. The town has a historical association with the Devang Chettiar community, which has been engaged in weaving since the 17th century under the patronage of Paliyathachan, an influential figure from the Paliam Nair family, known for their connection with the Rajas of Cochin.
The Devanga Chettiar weaver community originally specialised in weaving pure cotton sarees with silk borders. Their expertise extended to crafting the set-mundu, thorthu (bath towel), and the exquisite kasavu saree for brides. Their craftsmanship involves selecting and combining various yarns of different thicknesses to create textiles that remain popular among handloom enthusiasts. Chendamangalam's yarn export plays a crucial role in the surrounding regions' textile industries.
The Devanga weaver community, with origins across South Indian states including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and even Orissa, has evolved over centuries and acquired various names. They are recognized as jadaru or great men, dendra, dera, and settukkaran, reflecting their economic significance.
Notably, these weavers are renowned for creating kasavu sarees and mundus, featuring gold zari borders woven with unbleached or white cotton yarn. Their designs have evolved to blend traditional patterns with modern trends, while incorporating technological advancements. However, the community has faced challenges such as floods in 2018 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A glimmer of hope emerged in the form of "Chekutty" dolls, crafted from the flood-damaged saris in 2018. These dolls not only provide financial support to the weavers through sales in national and international markets but also offer a sense of relief from despair.