Pawan to strive for name and fame to Dharmavaram sarees

Dharmavaram (Anantapur): Jana Sena Supremo Pawan Kalyan was seen visibly touched by the plight of the socio-economic conditions of the weavers’ community. He pledged to take up their cause and help create a brand name for Dharmavaram sarees. The world famous Dharmavaram sarees are being sold under different brand names, thus depriving a pride of place for the Dharmavaram weavers’ community.

Addressing a public meeting of weavers’ community here on Monday, Pawan Kalyan recalled the days when he was grown up as a child in Chirala town in Prakasam district where he lived in the midst of scores of weavers’ families whose plight since then has not changed. He considered all handloom workers as artisans and not merely as workers as the art of handloom weaving got international fame, he stated.

Such was the craze for handloom sarees that people in Milan town in Italy which is known as a fashion capital enquired about Dharmavaram handloom sarees and about the artisans. In the absence of patronage to the skilled artisans and recognition to Dharmavaram weavers, the ancient art-form is in danger of extinction, he said.

The film hero-turned politician reiterated that he would not allow the ancient art-form to die; nor would allow the expert weavers to end up in disgrace. He would fight until the handloom sarees weaved here are sold with the Dharmavaram brand.

The Jana Sena chief regretted as many artforms are on the verge of extinction in the country. He assured that weavers will be part of his planned Delhi delegation to the Prime Minister. In an emotional tone, he said that our cultural heritage and the ancient art-forms would not be allowed to die. The weavers will never be allowed to commit suicides, he said.

Pawan said that he is not against the power-loom industry as they have to cater to growing population needs. But in the process, the handloom weavers’ interests should not be sacrificed at their cost.

He assured the weavers to take up their demand for increasing subsidy from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 and promised to include in his manifesto what he would do for the weavers’ community. He lamented that something was going wrong somewhere despite availability of central funds.

He sought a comprehensive report on their conditions and demands for taking them up with the government. The Jana Seen chief thanked the people for according him a grand reception particularly women and youth who showered their affection on him.

Pawan appreciated the weavers for their creativity in designing the words 'Om Namo Venkatesha' on a saree 101 times. He concluded his address with the slogan 'Bharath Matha Ki Jai'. Earlier, local legislator Gonuguntla Suryanarayana welcomed the Jana Sena president. He held a meeting with the MLA for a while before leaving to Hindupur.