Chintakindi Mallesham: From Weaver to Engineer and Padma Shri Recipient

Meet Chintakindi Mallesham: From Weaver to Inventor of the Laxmi Asu Machine

Chintakindi Mallesham, a weaver from Telangana, India, has gained national recognition and the prestigious Padma Shri award for his invention, the Laxmi Asu Machine. This innovative machine streamlines the process of processing yarn, reducing the effort it takes to weave a Pochampally sari.

Mallesham's journey has been one of determination and perseverance. Born into a poor weaver family, Mallesham had to drop out of school in Class 6 and join the family business. It was while watching his mother struggle with the laborious and painful process of weaving that Mallesham became determined to find a way to automate it. He set to work, observing his mother and identifying the five main movements necessary for the process.

However, Mallesham had no formal education in engineering and faced many challenges as he worked to build a functioning machine. He faced discouragement from friends and family and struggled with debt as he purchased various items to try and make the machine work. It took him seven years, from 1992 to 1999, to finally create a working model.

After the success of his first machine, Mallesham's invention gained attention from the media and local weavers, leading to a surge in demand for the Laxmi Asu Machine. Mallesham's determination and hard work have paid off, as he has now received national recognition and the prestigious Padma Shri award for his contributions to the handloom industry. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential for even those with limited resources to achieve great things.