The story
Ilkal weaving goes back many centuries and grew under local chieftains who invited weavers to settle in the town. The sarees are known for the kondi technique that joins a red silk pallu to the cotton or silk body, and for the kasuti embroidery motifs. Nearby Guledgudd is famous for khana blouse fabric. Both carry GI tags, but powerlooms have cut the number of handlooms sharply.
In numbers
In 2012 the Ilkal region had only about 5,000 handlooms left, compared with some 30,000 ten years earlier.
Of warp & weft (Deccan Herald) · 2012
GI tag
- Ilkal SareesApplication no. GI application no. 76Registration details of Geographical Indications (IP India GI Registry)
- Guledgudd KhanaApplication no. GI application no. 210Registration details of Geographical Indications (IP India GI Registry)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Sell GI-tagged Ilkal sarees online
- Design modern products such as stoles and dress material from Ilkal weaves
- Supply dyed yarn and loom accessories
- Run weaver-to-buyer marketing services
Problems the cluster faces
- Cheap powerloom copies
- Falling number of handlooms
- Low weaver wages
- Weak marketing reach
Businesses to start here
Saree Dyeing and Printing →Saree Rolling and Polishing →Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →Cotton Yarn Dyeing (Hank and Package Dyeing) →