.
Design Resource
Charaka Cotton Weaving
Making Charaka Cotton Products Using Natural Dyes
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Srikanth and Mahesh
Introduction
Charaka is located in near Sagara in Shimoga district of Karnataka. A self-help group established by local women and named after the place "Charaka". The unit started with small group of 35 people and only 3 weaving machines. Now the unit employs more than 400 people working in different sections like dyeing, weaving, tailoring, embroidery and block printing.
The raw material-Cotton is provided by NHDC- National Handloom Development Corporation Limited. The unique attribute of Charaka is usage of natural dyes in the entire process except block printing. Block printing is done with chemical colors presently. However, the artisans are experimenting with natural dyes.
There are around 27 Charaka units in all over Karnataka engaged in producing variety range Charaka products. Lot of employment opportunities are provided to youngsters, to encourage their ideas in order create new design patterns. The production process happen more in summer season as winter and rainy season do not support for weaving and dyeing processes. The cluster also has individual weaving families who mainly engaged in weaving.
