Tamil Nadu plans to produce raw materials required to make zaris, K. Vivekanandan, Handloom Commissioner, told The Hindu in Coimbatore on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Mr. Vivekanandan said that of the 1,100 cooperative societies in the State, 90 are engaged in the production of silk sarees. These require pure zaris. At present, silk thread coated with silver is purchased from other States, and gold coating is added at the Department of Textiles and Handlooms’ facility in Kancheepuram.
“We make almost 3,000 marcs of zari a month, with each marc weighing 242 grams,” he said. For this, about 400 kg of silver threads are purchased every month from other States. The sale value of the zaris is ₹19,500 per marc. If the raw materials are made in Tamil Nadu however, the weavers will get the zari at relatively lower costs, and thus earn more.
The Department of Textiles and Handlooms plans to involve students pursuing textile engineering or technology courses and elicit ideas from them on the making of silver-coated silk threads in Tamil Nadu, he said. This will be facilitated under the Naan Mudhalvan Niral Thiruvizha, a hackathon for engineering students across the State being held by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation.
The hackathon will revolve around 10 selected themes that encompass a wide range of challenges faced by government departments. The themes include Agritech and Food Technology, Clean and Green Technology, Waste Management, Water and Soil Conservation, Education 4.0, Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Smart Town/City, Health/Med – Tech, Industry 4.0 and Heritage and Culture. The Department of Textiles and Handlooms plans to have the zari work as a challenge under the Heritage and Culture theme, he said.
“If the students come up with a solution, the silver threads will be made in Kancheepuram at the government facility,” he added.
