TAMILNADU

As per the 1987 Handloom Census, there were about 4.27 lakhs handlooms in Tamilnadu.  Today, the number got reduced  to 2.83 lakh who are members of  about 1,354 handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies in the State and most of these societies  are affiliated to the Apex  Level (Tamilnadu) Handloom Weavers' Cooperative  Society  Ltd.  popularly  known as CO-OPTEX.
   
The average annual production of various handloom products through this handloom weavers is around Rs.500 crore.  Out of which 35% production is being procured by Co-optex, a State Level Handloom Cooperative Marketing Organisation through its various showrooms in the country and the rest  production of  about 65% is being sold by weavers' societies through other means.   Very recently "LOOM WORLD" came into existence to strengthen the marketing of handloom products in the State by establishing a few showrooms at Chennai, Erode and Coimbatore.  The sale performance of the "Loom World" showrooms  is encouraging.  It is certain that the Handloom industry has created ample opportunities for the weavers in the rural areas  next only to Agriculture.

 

The Silk Saree Produced in 1,64,492 Colours with Seven Wonders of  The World By Co-optex in Association with Sirumugaipudur Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari HWCS Ltd.,  in Coimbatore District was Released on 22.11.2006 by  Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu KALAIGNAR M. KARUNANIDHI   and named it as "MAYIL THOGAI SILK SAREE". The Silk Saree Produced in 1,64,492 Colours with Seven Wonders of The World was Released by   Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu KALAIGNAR                 M. KARUNANIDHI by named as "MAYIL THOGAI SILK SAREE". This wonderful master piece and prototype unique silk saree has selling price of Rs.40,000/- and it will take 45 days to produce on order with an advance payment of Rs.10,000/-. This Saree is also displayed at Co-optex showrooms on select days for the convenience of customers.   HON'BLE CHIEF MINISTER OF TAMILNADU RELEASED THE SILK SAREE PRODUCED IN 1,64,492 COLOURS WITH SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD ON 22.11.2006. ---------           Brief about the Silk Saree             With a view to claim global accreditation for its silk saree, Co-optex, in association with Sirumugaipudur Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Handloom Weavers' Co-operative Society in Coimbatore District, has ventured in the production of Silk saree with 164 colours in warp, 1003 colours in weft aggregating to 1,64,492 colours. This saree is produced by Co-optex with 15 skilled crafted artisan weavers in a record time of 25 days. Technical details about the Saree             This wonderful master piece and prototype unique silk saree has been produced by using 5 Jacquard box and 11,531 Jacquard design cards were technically used by the skilled crafted artisan weavers to produce 1,64,492 colours on the saree. In addition to this, seven wonders of the world were also designed on the saree's border with                       Shri Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai depicted on pallu of the saree as an added attraction woven by the skilled crafted artisan weavers on the saree. The Seven Wonders which are depicted in the saree are, Pyramid in Egypt Leaning Towers of Pisa Eiffel Tower in Paris Taj Mahal in India Great Wall of China Empire Estate in U.S.A. and Hanging Garden of Babylon.   Besides design like Yali design, Temple car designs and Hamsam designs were also woven on the pallu of the saree by using computer aided designs.This added to its natural beauty to the hand-woven silk saree.  The sun rays dazzling in the proposed 8th Wonder of the World  Shri Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai has intrinsic blessing mascot on the entire saree. Certification of the Saree             The Textiles Committee under the control of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has confirmed the usage of 164 colours in warp and         1003 colours in weft while weaving this wonderful master piece and prototype  unique silk saree and issued certificate to this effect. Price of the Saree             This wonderful master piece and prototype unique silk saree has selling price of Rs.40,000/- and it will take 25  to 45 days to produce on order with an advance payment of Rs.10,000/-.           Co-optex initiated suitable action to include this exquisite and wonderful hand woven silk saree in the "Guinness Record" Release of Silk Saree           This wonderful master piece and prototype unique silk saree has 1,64,492 natural beautiful colours with the Seven Wonders of the World is released for sale by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu on 22.11.2006 at Hon'ble Chief Minister's Chamber, Secretariat, Chennai and  Hon'ble Chief Minister has pleased to name the Silk Saree as   "Mayil Thogai".           The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu honoured  Thiru. V.Thirumoorthy, Weaver, Thiru. M.Dharmaraj, Designer, Thiru. R.Radhakrishnan, Manager and Thiru. P.Sankaravel Pandian, Special Officer of Sirumugaipudur Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society for their excellent efforts in bringing out this wonderful master piece and prototype unique silk saree.  In the presence of Hon'ble Minister for Electricity, Hon'ble Minister for Local Administration, Hon'ble Minister for Health and Hon'ble Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, Thiru. L.K.Tripathy, I.A.S., Chief Secretary to Government, Thiru. C.P.Singh, I.A.S., Secretary to Government, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department, Thiru. M. Malik Feroze Khan, I.A.S., Director of Handlooms and Textiles,    Tmt. M.P.Nirmala, I.A.S., Special Officer and Managing Director,   Co-optex are also participated in the function.

Courtesy : Cooptex Tamil Nadu

 

 

 

Cooptex

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Though the history of weavers' cooperative dates back to the first quarter of 20th century, strictly speaking serious efforts were made in the year 1934-35 to bring large number of weavers in Tamilnadu under the cooperative fold to strengthen entire handloom sector.

Today, in Tamilnadu, out of 4.27 lakh handlooms, 2.83 Lakh handlooms are in cooperative fold producing about Rs.450 Crore worth of handloom cloth. All these weavers in the State have been organized through 1354 handloom weavers' cooperative societies. Since all these societies were scattered and were unable to market their handloom products individually, formation of a state level apex-marketing cooperative was considered necessary to market procured handloom products through the network of outlets in and outside of Tamilnadu thus providing ensured marketing support. It is only in this context, the Tamilnadu Handloom Weavers' Cooperative Society Limited, popularly known as " Cooptex" was established in 1935. Besides, marketing of handloom products, Cooptex also procure yarn from 14 Coop. Spinning Mills of the State and also from the National Handlooms Development Corporation to supply to member societies.       

Cooptex is the largest apex handloom weavers' cooperative society in India promoting handloom industry and the interest of cooperative weavers on a commercially viable manner. Its main functions are - supply of raw material (yarn), organization of production according to the needs and taste of market, procurement of stock from handloom weavers' cooperative societies and marketing of those products through its effective network of shops throughout the country. It also provides technical and financial help to the weavers.
 
Performance
Various handloom products like silk sarees, cotton sarees, dhothies, lunghies, towels, shirtings, bedsheets, carpets etc.,  woven by  handloom  weavers in the State are procured by   Co-optex and marketed through 260   Co-optex showrooms spread all over India.

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Introduction of new products and designs 

Keeping pace with the changing taste of consumers, Cooptex has been introducing of new products and new designs to increase the marketability of Handloom products.  For the purpose, Cooptex is in constant touch with the National Institute of Design, Bangalore; Weavers' Service Center, Chennai and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai etc., to develop new designs.  

Over the years, the Cooptex as an apex marketing society has shown promising performance and contributed to the socio-economic progress of its members. This was possible due to active participation of weavers, able leadership and sound management followed by Government assistance and with serious monitoring at the highest level.  

Yarn Sales - Based on the requirement of yarn of the Weavers' Cooperative Societies, Co-optex procure yarn from the Cooperative Spinning Mills and National Handloom Development Corporation, Lucknow and distributes to Handloom Weavers' Cooperatives in the State on cash and on credit basis to the societies / weavers.

SILK

Tamil Nadu Zari Limited, Kancheepuram, is a Public Limited concern established in 1971 by the Government of Tamil Nadu, under the Companies Act 1956 with the objectives to produce and supply Zari to cooperative handloom weavers' of the silk industry in the State and to provide protection to the silk handloom weavers' cooperative societies in the State engaged in the weaving of silk by making available the required quality of zari at the reasonable rates to save them from stiff competitions of the monopoly of the zari merchants in and outside of the State.

2) It is needless to say that the handloom silk sarees woven with zari motifs and design in the State especially in places like Kancheepuram, Arni,  Kumbakonam were known for their rare beauty and design and remains to be the traditional Handicrafts of the weavers for ages. Such woven designed silk sarees are greatly admired by foreign visitors and thus form an important place on the world silk route Tamil Nadu Zari Limited, Kancheepuram, is a Public Limited concern established in 1971 by the Government of Tamil Nadu, under the Companies Act 1956 with the objectives to produce and supply Zari to cooperative handloom weavers' of the silk industry in the State and to provide protection to the silk handloom weavers' cooperative societies in the State engaged in the weaving of silk by making available the required quality of zari at the reasonable rates to save them from stiff competitions of the monopoly of the zari merchants in and outside of the State.

Source:TN handlooms department plans e-com portal