Silk weavers in and around Salem, toiling for years to produce some of the finest silk dhotis, shirts and angavastrams, can now rejoice as their long-pending demand of getting national recognition for their silk materials has been granted.
Salem’s unique brand of silk clothing, known as ven pattu, has received the Central government’s Geographical Indication Authorised User Certificate, according to the Geographical Indications Act 1999 Rule 2003, paving the way for more sales and better recognition for this silk.
Seven weaving societies located in and around Salem city — Salem Silk Weavers Cooperative Society, Rajaganapathy Silk Weavers Cooperative Society, Sowdeswari Silk Weavers Cooperative Society, Super Silk Weavers Cooperative Society, Sourashtra Silk Weavers Cooperative Society, Dr Puratchi Thalaivi Silk Weavers Cooperative Society and Ammapettai Silk and Cotton Weavers Cooperative Society — have been accorded this recognition.
Commenting on the recognition, ex-president of the Salem Silk Weavers Society P.V. Shantaram said this would give a boost to the 3,000-odd weavers and practising the trade for generations. “We get orders from the US, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, etc. for our dhotis and shirting. We expect to see a rise in exports,” he said. The weavers had applied for GI recognition in 2005. “Now, we have received a confirmation from the Centre that Salem silk is special,” he added. The turnover of Salem ven pattu (White silk) is estimated to be around Rs 25-30 crore.
