Tourism can help revive Kerala’s fascinating handloom industry

Kerala once had a thriving handloom industry that provided gainful employment to a sizeable section of the society. The looms were for the most part located in rural areas, and weaving was carried on as a hereditary occupation. There was a time when the rhythm of the handloom could be heard in almost every village in Kerala.

The Kerala ‘kasavu saree’ is famous for it’s fineness of count and natural colours, texture and gold borders. Kerala is also known for its unbleached cotton handloom crepe popularly known as ‘kora’ cloth. ‘Mundu’ for men is also very popular. The advent of the power loom led to their gradual decline. Though handloom co-operative societies  still exist in places like Balaramapuram in Thiruvanathapuram district, Koothampalli in Thrissur district, and Chendamangalam in the Ernakulam district, lack of working capital and proper sales strategy, failure to modernize the equipment, lack of choice in designs, changing fashion habits of consumers, and apathy of the Government towards handloom sector have led to a situation where people engaged in the handloom sector are barely able to eke out a living.

Seen in the picture is a weaver plying his trade in Chendamangalam, which is about 25km from Cochin International Airport. Low wages and lack of opportunity for growth is keeping the younger generation away from the traditional handloom sector. It won’t be long before the last of these looms comes to a standstill.

As a responsible tour operator, the Kerala Travel Centre has always encouraged travellers to experience the many fascinating local customs, artforms and practices which in turn helps to sustain them. While in Kerala it would be worth your while to pay a visit to one of the surviving handloom co-operative societies.

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