The story
Shantipur has been a weaving town for centuries, known for fine cotton sarees. After Partition, Tangail weavers from East Bengal settled in Phulia and Shantipur and brought their own designs, which are now GI-registered as Tangail Saree of Bengal. An Indian Institute of Handloom Technology at Phulia trains weavers and designers.
In numbers
No published source we could open prints current numbers for this cluster.
GI tag
- Santipore SareeApplication no. Application No. 138Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
- Tangail Saree of BengalApplication no. Application No. 702Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
Ways in for a newcomer
- Buy from weaver cooperatives and sell sarees online or in metro boutiques
- Design services and new colour ranges for weavers
- Yarn dyeing and saree finishing units
Problems the cluster faces
- Powerloom copies sold as handloom
- Low weaver wages and ageing workforce
- Rising cotton yarn prices
Businesses to start here
Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →Saree Rolling and Polishing →Saree Dyeing and Printing →Handloom Gamcha (Loin Cloth) →