Kuthampully Handloom Kerala

Kuthampully Handloom

Weaving a Devanga style

Braving the challenges raised by globalisation and

liberalisation – Kuthampully Handloom has made itself a face to reckon with. The secret of the success story, weaved by the Kuthampully Handloom Industrial Cooperative Society, is nothing but the hard work and dedication of its member employees.

Braving the challenges raised by globalisation and liberalisation – Kuthampully Handloom has made itself a face to reckon with. The secret of the success story, weaved by the Kuthampully Handloom Industrial Cooperative Society, is nothing but the hard work and dedication of its member employees – say S. Krishnaraju, President and A. Krishnaraju, Secretary. Kuthampully Sarees and other handlooms are favourites especially among womenfolk not only in Kerala, but also in other parts of the country, and even abroad.

“We are receptive to the developments and new trends in this field, and has now hesitated to embrace the innovations”, Krishnaraju added. No doubt the never-ending problem of marketing, especially of traditional products has now effected Kuthampully Handlooms. Further, the Society has a steady market in almost all parts of the country, and the demand is very increasing. The Postal Department introduced the ambitious Onakkodi Scheme, offering the Kuthampully Handlooms for two years.

Kuthampully Handloom Industrial Cooperative Society was registered in Kuthampully village, on the banks of the legendary Bharathappuzha, in the Thiruvillwamala Panchayat, Thalappilly Taluk, Thrissur district, in the year 1972 with 102 members. Most of the members belong to Devanga community, which has roots in the then Mysore State. It is said that this community of traditional weavers were brought by the Kochi Royal family some 500 years back to make dress exclusively for the palace. The society weathered the tides of market and marketing in its march ahead, and has 814 members with own building and share capital of Rs 32 lakh while State Government has a share of 2.20 lakhs. Net production in 2007 is 1.49 crore, a role model for any cooperative venture. The society is managed by a seven-member elected body, with eight office staff including secretary.

Kuthampully handloom industrial cooperative society, followed the traditional path in the early days and their kasavu double dhoti, veshti and set mundu are still popular. Of late, the society turned into the ever-changing fashion used, adopted new technologies and gained from the diversification move, launched in the early half of the last decade. Designer items are the latest in this series. A separate wing has been started exclusively for RDD.

Quality is the hallmark of Kuthampally Handloom. “We won’t go for any compromise in the use of threads and Kasavu”, said Krishnaraju, the President. Quality is assured in the process of making pavu, and using Kasavu.

Utmost care is guaranteed before marketing also. Kuthampilly Handloom has indeed made big stride in the industry and is one of the prestigious cooperative industrial ventures of Thrissur district, said M.S. Sadanandan, General Manager, District Industries Centre.