The story
Kanchipuram's silk weaving is tied to its temples, and weaving families from the Devanga and Saliya communities settled here centuries ago. The sarees are woven with heavy mulberry silk and gold or silver zari, with borders joined to the body by the korvai technique. Weavers organised cooperatives from 1949, and many sell through Co-optex and private showrooms. Kancheepuram Silk was among India's first registered GIs.
In numbers
The first weavers' cooperative society was formed in 1949; the Kamatchi Amman Society started with 79 weavers and now has about 2,000 members.
GI tag product — Kancheevaram silks and sarees, Kancheepuram district administrationThere are about 24 cooperative societies, and about 50,000 weavers work through various cooperative societies.
GI tag product — Kancheevaram silks and sarees, Kancheepuram district administrationThe yearly turnover of the town exceeds ₹200 crore, with exports of approximately ₹3 crore.
GI tag product — Kancheevaram silks and sarees, Kancheepuram district administrationKancheepuram Silk is a registered GI (application 15, certificate 6).
GI Registry — Kancheepuram Silk, application 15
GI tag
- Kancheepuram SilkApplication no. GI Application No. 15 (Certificate No. 6)GI Registry, Intellectual Property India — application 15
Ways in for a newcomer
- Online retail of genuine GI sarees with Silk Mark
- Zari, yarn twisting and dyeing services for weavers
- Saree finishing, rolling and polishing
- Design services and jacquard card punching
Problems the cluster faces
- Powerloom and fake-zari copies sold as Kanchipuram
- Rising silk and gold prices
- Young people leaving weaving
- Low wages for hired weavers
Businesses to start here
Zari and Silk Embroidery →Saree Rolling and Polishing →Saree Dyeing and Printing →Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →