Related Keywords: attemps made to revive, Chennimalai, Handloom Town, handwoven and bespoke fabrics with jacquard designs using recycled, Handwoven textile heritage to powerlook, initiative Five P, Jamakkalams, loom factory set up, lost distinct identity, natural dyes, organic, protect and preserve heritage skills of handloom weavers, recognized for bedsheets
Chennimalai popularly known as the 'Handloom Town' located in Erode district, Tamil Nadu though still recognized for its bedsheets and Jamakkalams, in the last five decades or so lost its distinct identity of handwoven textile heritage to powerloom. The number of handloom weavers in Chennimalai has shrunk from over a lakh in the 60s and 70s to less than 3,000 at present.
While nothing much seems to have been done to undo it for long, some attempt is now being made to revive, protect and preserve the heritage skills of the handloom weavers in that belt.
