TN: Special 'stamp' for silken dreams

Chennai, Aug 9: Tamil Nadu's Department of Handlooms and Textiles is planning to emboss a special logo on the world-renowned Kancheepuram silk sarees to distinguish them from fakes.

The exclusive logo would be location specific. It would be different from the handloom and silk marks issued by the Centre.

Handlooms and Textiles Commissioner M R Mohan told the sources that ''these logos will be given to all registered handloom weavers along with a certificate in their respective areas.We expect about 500 weavers to apply for the certificate.'' The logos will be emblazoned on the sarees, making its production by others an offence.

According to the plans, 'Bhavani Jamakalams' and handloom-made 'Madurai Sungadi' sarees will also sport the three-dimensional, tamper-proof logos as per the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 and Rule 2002 enacted by the Centre.

Besides, to give the sarees fresh impetus in the form of new designs and reduced cost, the department had gone in for large-scale design intervention and tied up with ten freelance designers. The National Institute of Design was helping the department in this endeavour.

''The freelancers have prepared more than 100 designs that will be released within a fortnight,'' Mr Mohan said.

These sarees will be available from Rs 2,500 onwards, he claimed, adding ''it will come in new style and can be worn as normal or casual wear. It will increase the overall income of the weaver.''

. Mr Mohan said the department had started imparting additional skills to women weavers, for which it had tied up with the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), Gandhigram Rural University, Apparel Textile Design Centre and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

According to the plans up to March 2007, the Directorate had set itself a target to help 1,000 women weavers.

As many as 30 weavers were imparted training at the doorstep in the first session started by the SAARC in Thanirpalli at Karur District.

The weavers had been selected by an export firm with their salaries likely to increase by 20 per cent.

The next session would be carried out for 50 weavers at Neelakottai in Dindigul with help from Gandhigram Rural University, followed by the NIFT at Kancheepuram.The weavers would be given formal training for two days.

They would be imparted trained in embroidery and embellishment at a common place for 12 days.

''Our aim is to enhance weavers' wages by tying up with marketing agencies and increase the sale at cooperative societies outlet, Loom World, to popularise handloom products among the masses through advertisements,'' Mr Mohan said.

UNI