Grameen Craft and the Beauty of Kerala Handloom Sarees: A Journey through the Districts
Kerala handloom sarees are a symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and regional diversity. At Grameen Craft, we celebrate this variety by offering an exquisite selection of handloom sarees from different districts across Kerala, each with its own distinctive style and history.
From the fine, minimalistic elegance of Balaramapuram sarees in Thiruvananthapuram to the vibrant designs of Chendamangalam in Ernakulam, every saree we offer reflects the heritage of its region. In Kannur, intricate handloom techniques produce sarees known for their durability and detailed patterns, while Kuthampully sarees in Thrissur are famed for their temple motifs and traditional elegance.
Adding to this rich tapestry are the Kasargod handloom sarees, which stand out for their vibrant colors and checkered patterns. Known for their distinctive weaving style, Kasargod sarees are a blend of tradition and creativity, offering a perfect balance of texture and design.
Each saree in our collection is handcrafted by skilled artisans, bringing the essence of Kerala’s weaving traditions to life. At Grameen Craft, we are proud to showcase these handloom sarees, supporting the artisans and keeping the heritage of Kerala alive.
Kerala Traditional Handloom
Golden yarns entwine with hard work, faith in the Divine, dedication and mastery to bring forth some of the finest handwoven Kasavu (zari, a type of gold thread used decoratively on Indian clothing) fabrics. The charisma of the magical rhythm of the looms invades your spirit as you walk through the handloom villages of Kerala. The dancing yarns in the looms of each house give birth to elegant Kasavu clothings that grace the soul of this village. Kerala handloom products having geographical indication tags such as Chendamangalam sarees, Kuthampully sarees, Balaramapuram sarees, Kasaragod sarees and Kannur furnishings are fabrics that are popular among the public.
Handlooms of Balaramapuram
Balaramapuram, located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, is renowned for its traditional handloom sarees and fine cotton fabrics. These exquisite textiles are distinguished by their natural cream-coloured cotton, adorned with intricate gold zari borders and delicate embroidery. Handloom weaving in Balaramapuram traces its origins back over 200 years to the era of the Travancore royal family. Under the rule of Maharaja Balarama Varma, skilled weavers from Tamil Nadu were invited to the region to create fine textiles for the royal household. Since then, the craftsmanship has been passed down through generations, maintaining the authenticity and superior quality of these handloom products.
The weavers of Balaramapuram use traditional throw-shuttle pit looms, without modern machinery, to produce these stunning fabrics. The sarees are highly valued for their simplicity, natural materials and superior craftsmanship. A signature feature of Balaramapuram sarees is the use of "Kasavu," or zari, made from silver threads coated with gold, which adds a touch of elegance to the cream-coloured cotton fabric. These sarees are often given as traditional bridal gifts, making them a symbol of Kerala's rich cultural heritage.
Balaramapuram handloom products continue to be popular for their timeless beauty and exceptional craftsmanship, making them a must-have for anyone who appreciates traditional textiles. The handloom industry here remains a vital part of Thiruvananthapuram’s cultural and economic landscape.
Handlooms of Chendamangalam
Reflecting the long legacy of Kerala’s handloom industry, Chendamangalam is a beautiful village gifted with master craftspersons adept at handloom production. The ancient handloom village with GI tagging in the Ernakulam district is regarded as a region that produces the best quality fabric in Kerala. The Chendamangalam weavers are experts in producing authentic Kerala attires such as the ‘set-mundu’, a two-piece outfit, as well as the kasavu saree for weddings, and the common bath towel named ‘thorthu’.
Renowned for its Puliyilakkara borders, these Chendamangalam sarees are now woven with a combination of contemporary motifs in order to be in sync with the current age. The region has prospered as the handloom center of the Devang Chettiar community since the 17th century. The story of Chendamangalam handlooms officially began at the Paliam Palace when a trader from the Chaliyan lineage presented the finest fabric to the king. It "grew into a brand" over time, and hundreds of people began to work in this industry.
Making this product requires a lot of skill and time. It involves the spinning of thread from unprocessed cotton or silk fibres, which is subsequently used to weave cloth on a handloom. After that, they are pounded with a wooden rod to arrange the layers of thread. Clothes are woven using conventional weaving machinery with the thread brought to the loom.
Handlooms of Kuthampully
A village on the banks of the Bharathappuzha, Kuthampully, in Thrissur district is synonymous with traditional handloom industry. The intricate designs, patterns and the inimitable craftsmanship have lent a unique distinction to Kuthampully handloom. The history of these artisans specialising in Kuthampully handloom goes back to the 18th century.
It is believed that, impressed by the weaving skills, a group of weavers known as Devengas were brought from Karnataka by the erstwhile rulers of Cochin. These weavers eventually settled in Kerala and their trade flourished. A collective known as Kuthampully Handloom Industrial Co-operative Society was formed in 1972. Walk around the village, and you will see that almost every household possesses a handloom and takes pride in it. Popular handloom items from Kuthampully include kasavu [zari], veshti, double mundu and set mundu. Nearly 1000 families are engaged in the handloom industry in this village. The products are much sought-after for their long lasting quality, workmanship and beautiful designs. A visit to Kuthampully gives an opportunity to witness firsthand making of traditional handloom products and to purchase products at affordable prices. The beauty of the village is another added charm. The villagers are warm and welcoming, and take time off their work to interact, tell you their tales of survival amidst adversities and take you on a journey through the various stages of the manufacture of the famous handloom products
Kasaragod Sarees
Having a tradition dating back ages, Kerala handloom products have roots in specific regions in the state. Each centre of weaving has its signature characteristics that leave a stamp of uniqueness. One among the handloom hubs in Kerala is at Kasaragod. Some of the most alluring set sarees in the country are produced in this northernmost district of Kerala.
Known for its unshrinking texture and fast colours, the Kasaragod handloom has so conquered the imagination of women that is impossible to gauge how far and wide its cotton and silk sarees have reached in the world. Making use of only traditional colours, this eco-friendly product is best known for its designer borders with Kasavu [zari]. That it continues to maintain high quality is a testament to the intimate knowledge and skill that go into its manufacture.
A high standard of making is followed at each and every part of the process – be it the choice of threads, the selection of colours, the creation of designs or the final step of weaving. Having received the “Geographical Indication Tag,” the products exhibit international standards of quality.
The traditional technique used in sizing the warp on the loom is the peculiarity of its making. They are known for their exquisite design, quality, colour pattern and borders. It is made of high-quality finer-count cotton yarn in its original cotton colour as well as fancy-dyed yarn for both warp and weft.Grameen Craft and the Beauty of Kerala Handloom Sarees