Tag Archives: Andhra Pradesh

Stories of Silk

Stories of Silk

A tiny village, just outside the Murshidabad district in West Bengal, is keeping the tradition of weaving alive!

Life takes a sudden hectic turn at Tantipara, a textile village on the outskirts of Murshidabad. Skeins of silk literally spill onto the streets as looms clatter rhythmically under the labors of skilled weavers. Men, young and old, dexterously separate strands stretching down the entire length of the lane. Watching the super long threads bounce and quiver together is quite a sight.

silk weaving

silk weaving

It takes around four days for a single weaver to make one simple sari and much longer to craft a Baluchari, the renowned Bengali sari adorned with large mythological motifs in gold and silver zari, worn by women of upper-class and zamindari families.

Baluchari sari - heavy work

Baluchari sari – heavy work

A heavy Baluchari fetches around $200.00 and urban demand is only rising. Saris have broad borders, adorned by brocaded gold patterns. And so, unlike the tranquil riverside villages, time races ahead here and tradition flourishes with untiring speed. In the artisans determination to stay relevant echoes the unsung song of Murshidabad.

indian motifs

indian motifs

DIVINE DHARMAVARAM

Silk is not just confined to Murshidabad but has its presence in several parts in India. Dharmavaram silks have been popular Anantapur district in the state of  Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its cotton and silk weaving industries. Dharmavaram saris comprise heavy ‘pallus‘ with exclusive designs. Their broad solid colored borders with contrast ‘pallus‘ are desired by every woman.

Dharmavaram silks

Dharmavaram silks

Holiday at Dindi, Andhra Pradesh

Holiday at Dindi, Andhra Pradesh

TO DO ANYTHING

Holiday’s are usually exhilarating, stimulating, brimming over with to-do boxes to be checked off. But the village of Dindi, flanked by the Vashista River, a tributary of the Godavari and part of the verdant Konaseema Delta formed by the Vashista and Goutami rivers, lives life at an intoxicatingly relaxed amble. The only thing that really demands a reaction is ‘Papikondalu’ (sometimes written as Papi Kondalu), the name of the cloud-ringed hill range you’re here to pay homage to. Once you’ve got past your amusement at this name, you’ll find that the most strenuous thing you end up doing is dialing down the pace of your otherwise hectic life.

Konaseema culture is a typical rural culture of Andhra

Konaseema culture is a typical rural culture of Andhra

Drive to the Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Antarvedi, past coconut groves looming large over shallow ponds, canals and cattle grazing in green meadows, and village belles drawing water from a pump beside traditional homes of mud and timber with thatched roofs. You will actually feel the sensation of stepping back into a time before tourism and touts in the village of Gudimellanka, 5 kilometers into the drive from Dindi. The hallowed portals of the temple, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, will deepen the reverie. No one rushes you, you can Continue reading “Holiday at Dindi, Andhra Pradesh” »