Implementing Agency
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THE Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Co-Operative Society Ltd., NARAYANAGUDA, APCO BHAVAN, HYDERABAD, 500 029. ANDHRAPARESH, INDIA. |
About Cluster :
The Chirala formally known as "KSHIRAPURI" (Sea like a Milk) is situated on Bay of Bengal is renamed as CHIRALA (CHIRA means saree ). The Chirala town well connected to the main railway line and NH 5 road line (Kokatta to Chennai). And also there is airline service form Gannavaram (Vijayawada) is far from 110 km. The Chirala area handloom industry is famous since times immemorial for producing variety of fabrics which brought name and fame to the nation as well as to this area. Even before the Industrial revolution taken place in the west, the rural artisan weaver of this area had done marvelous work of producing 7 yards of saree in a match box, which speaks of highest excellence in the art of weaving, unmatched skill and talent of handloom weaver of this area.
During the 13th century the Italian traveler Marcopolo had visited this area and his mentions about flourishment of handloom weaving and exhibition of skills of the weaver in production of finer varieties, reveals the historic evidence about attaining the peak of excellence in weaving skills. In 1920 a group of weavers have formed a Handloom Weavers Co-Operative Society. During 1952 a Co-operative spinning miill has been inaugurated by Sri Javaharlal Nehru and runs for about 50 years. Though this area is famous for its production of traditional varieties zari sarees and dhoties which has