1,64,492 coloured silk saree on display in exhibition

Panaji, Dec 15 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers Co-operative, Co-Optex, has produced a silk saree with 1,64,492 colours costing Rs 40,000.

The saree is on display at an exhibition cum sale that opened here today.

Speaking to reporters, Co-Optex Managing Director M P Nirmla said the saree, named 'Mayil Thogai' (peacock's plumage) also depicts the seven wonders of the world on its border and the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple on the pallu.

She said Co-Optex was in the process of gaining international recognition for this feat by forwarding the details to the Guinness Book of World Records.

She said it takes 45 days to 15 artisans to weave a saree, much in demand within the country and abroad.

Eco-friendly shirts coloured with natural dyes are also on display at the exhibition, she added.

The main objective of the exhibition was to showcase the excellent handwork of the weavers of Tamil Nadu through the display of an array of silk and cotton products like sarees and dress materials.

Co-Optex is the first organisation to be awarded the Handloom Mark registration both for domestic sale and export sale by the Textiles Committee in the Ministry of Textiles. It was also awarded Silk Mark by Silk Organisation of India and the Union Government to ensure guarantee for genuine silk saree and sold through co-optex showrooms, Ms Nirmala added.

Goa Governor S C Jamir inaugurated the exhibition-cum-sale.

UNI SRN PM NK DS1635