Mandya:

Kodiyala village about 12km from Mandya city is famed for its community of weavers who have clothed royalty including the Mysore family and Tipu Sultan. The legacy continues even today.

History has it that about 160 families of the Padmashali community of weavers who migrated from Andhra Pradesh 300 years ago settled down in this village and started their profession. Soon their weaves caught the eye of the royal families around who placed orders for cloth, and thus began a long relationship between the community and the royals.

Some elders of the community said that Tipu Sultan who ruled from Srirangapatna was very fond of cotton cloth manufactured in Kodiyala village. He is said to have helped the Padmashali community by giving concessions in royal taxes and importing raw material from abroad.

Another proud memory for the weavers is of then prime minister Indira Gandhi who visited their weavers’ colony and was impressed with their handlooms and saris. “Leaders like Indira Gandhi former chief ministers Devaraj Urs and SM Krishna were seriously interested in our profession and village” said 80 year-old Narayanappa a weaver. “Impressed that 200 families of our village are running textile manufacturing units SM Krishna had ordered that an exclusive power line be drawn from Tubinakere power station for continuous power supply.” This is perhaps the only weavers’ colony in the state which is so privileged.

Weavers say they are not facing any problem. The market for their products is spread over the entire nation andthereis always a good demand. Neither is there a shortage of raw material and labour. “We are content with our profession. If the erstwhile kings hadn’t supported our ancestors and our profession was not encouraged by the government we may not have been so successful,” said Narayanappa. He claimed their material is of high quality. “We produce rich colourful saris and dhotis, with eye-catching motifs. We have switched to powerlooms and use polycotton thread” he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / by M K Madhusoodan and Rajendrakumar K R, TNN / April 26th, 2012