“This craft has survived generations, but will it survive the next?

Weaving a handloom saree is an art. It’s been practiced in Bhoodan Pochampally and Jangaon for over two centuries. It’s more than just a livelihood. It’s a family tradition passed down through generations. But today, weavers like us are struggling to keep that rhythm alive.

My sons know the craft, but they don’t want to take it up as a profession. They say, “It’s not sustainable.” Can I blame them? Even with years of skill and hard work, most workers earn between ₹18,000 and ₹25,000 a month. Some are paid per metre, others per piece. The returns barely match the effort we put in.

A single Pochampally ikat saree takes weeks to finish, starting from treating the yarn to designing, dyeing, and finally weaving. Both men and women in our families work day and night to produce around 7 to 8 sarees a month. The silk we use comes from Karnataka. The cotton is sourced from Telangana and Maharashtra. Every thread has a story.

But the market doesn’t value handwoven fabric the way it used to. Powerlooms churn out cheaper sarees with artificial shine, flooding the market. They may look glossy, but they lack the soul and sheen of a true Pochampally ikat.

After COVID, the situation got worse. The losses we incurred during those years were heavy. And now, with rising material costs and lack of demand, many of us are barely breaking even. There’s hardly any marketing, no direct customer reach, and fewer bulk orders. What’s more painful is seeing this craft, our identity, slowly fade into the background.

Still, I show up at this loom every day. I want to continue as long as my hands allow me. Because to me, this isn’t just a job. It’s my life’s work.

All we ask is for people to recognise the difference. To choose handmade. To support the weaver behind the weave.”