A device for faster weaving of Pochampally silk by an innovator from Telangana revives traditional silk sari industry
An innovator from Nalgonda in Telangana has reduced the tedious and cumbersome hand-winding process of yarn for weaving of the famous Pochampally silk, thus reviving the traditional art as well as the silk sari industry on which many in the area are dependent. The Laxmi Asu Making Machine developed by Shri Mallesham Laxminarayana Chinthakindi has revolutionized the weaving of the Pochampally silk and reduced the drudgery of thousands of weavers involved in the occupation. With the support of National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, the ‘Laxmi Asu Making Machine’ has been incubated, and it is used by thousands of weavers to come up with a Pochampalli silk saris. Making this special silk of Telangana involves an exquisite tradition constituting a special technique called double ikat style of weaving consisting of dyeing prior to weaving. It produces fabrics of a variety of colors and intrica