An application seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Woraiyur cotton sari was filed by the Woraiyur Devanga Handloom Weaver’s Co-operative Society at the Geographical Indication Registry here in Chennai.
This particular sari is known for its simple and narrow border with plain or small motifs. The saris are available in 6 yards or 8 yards and occasionally 9 yards based on the requirement of the consumer.
According to details provided by the society, the sarees are traditionally woven using the korvai loom. The Woraiyur cotton saris originate from Thiruchi district and they are produced in Manamedu, located on the banks of river Cauvery. The cotton yarn is procured from Coimbatore and Rajapalayam and the dyes are obtained from Jeyamkondan. More than 500 handlooms working out of 1,000 household in Manamedu produce these saris, IPR attorney P Sanjai Gandhi said, based on the details provided by the society.
According to details provided by the society in the filing, weaving flourished in Tamil Nadu during the reign of Rajaraja Chola. The weaving communities who lived and worked in Woraiyur were mainly the Devangas, Saliyars and Mudaliars.
Woraiyur Devanga Handloom Weavers Cooperatives Society was started with an initial capital of ₹747. In the beginning stage, it received loans and advance from the government, the Reserve Bank of India, the Cooperative Bank and State Weavers Society. The aim of the society was to provide continuous job, fair wages to its workers, distribution of projects to its workers and distribution of profits to its members.
