KUTHAMPULLY: A VILLAGE OF TRADITIONAL HANDLOOM WEAVERS

 This project is about the traditional handloom weavers of Kuthampully, the village that maintaining unbroken yarn and culture in handloom, which is in the Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. The rhythm of Kuthampully is that of a loom. Weaving is the main occupation of around three hundred families in this village and the place is famous for Handwoven ‘Kasavu Saree’, a traditional wear for women with gold Zari border, and ‘Mundu’, a traditional wear for men.

I heard about this community of weavers from a friend of mine who is also a photographer. The reason behind doing this project is that the community is facing crisis now, and many are already left this field. Rest of them are still trying to protect their craft while struggling to maintain their livelihood.

Talking about the weavers in Kuthampully, I do not think it is possible to start without telling their history. During the ruler Tipu Sultan's war, people from the Devanga community came to Kuthampully village from the Hampi in Karnataka, the birthplace of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century, for weaving for the Kochi royal family and temples. They settled on the banks of the Nila river, the confluence of the Bharathapuzha and Gayatri rivers, for spinning and weaving. Even though they speak Malayalam, which is the common language of the region, they speak each other a mix of Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam, which is a different language.

The Kuthampully weaving industry, which claims a great period of tradition and pride, is today on the path of disintegration. The main problem they are facing presently is that they are not getting any help from the government. Moreover, many of the benefits that existed in the past are no longer available. Another major crisis they are facing today is the alienation of the younger generation from the sector. Their parents, who are now weavers, do not want to bring them to the weaving job. The condition of almost all the families who work and live-in weaving is in very bad. In such a situation, they are trying their best to give their children good education and get a better job. Nor can blame them for it, everyone deserves better life.

With the advent of the power looms that works with the help of machines, traditional handloom workers are facing a crisis. One of the problems they face is that people have started to make woven garments on an industrial scale using power looms as they can make more in less time comparing to the handlooms. However, the handloom garments made by the human hands are the best and the comfort of wearing them are completely different. Many film actors and actresses in India still come here to buy the handloom garments. Kuthampully Weaving Industry Co-operative Society which was found in 1972 is still functioning here to help the traditional weavers.

If the eyes of the authorities and the public are opened, we can hope that Kuthampully will rise again to its old glory and pride.