Thread by thread, Pochampally’s weavers bring a living tradition to Hyderabad
Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy inspecting a handloom stall at a three-day exhibition-cum-sale at Hitex in Hyderabad. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL The rhythmic clatter of a handloom rises above the chatter of visitors inside Hall No. 4 of the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad. At the centre of the gathering sits 71-year-old Yadagiri, his hands moving with practised ease as hundreds of threads slowly come together to form a pink Pochampally Ikat saree. Around him, people stop, watch, ask questions and take photographs. For many, it is their first glimpse into the painstaking process behind one of Telangana’s most celebrated handloom traditions. For Yadagiri, however, the loom is nothing new. The weaver from Bhongir in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district has spent nearly six decades at it. “It takes us four days to weave one saree. After weaving, it goes for dyeing and finishing before it is ready for sale,” he says, carefully guiding the shuttle through the threads. The saree taking shape before visitors is expected to cost around …
