Despite odds, Pochampally Ikkat weavers working overtime to supply shawls

It has been a favourable season for the Pochampally Ikkat weavers in the state with the city hosting global events one after the other. One of the quite well-known weavers, Beemanapally Venkatesham, who, along with his craftsmen, is working relentlessly to meet a deadline of making 200 Pochampally Ikkat shawls ahead of the Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu, however, feels that the weavers hardly benefit from the boom.

It was Venkatesham's Pochampally Ikkat shawl that was used to felicitate prime minister Narendra Modi not once but twice, and India women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj on her successful world cup feat. Working from a two-bedroom house and an adjoining shed that doubles up as his handloom workshop, Venkatesham has supplied 130 shawls last month and is to deliver another 70 before Monday. .. Read More