Salem VeNpattu (White silk) Dhoties Got GI

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.

White Silk Dhoti - Salem Sourashtra Weavers

Over the ages, India has conjured up different images at different times, but one constant through the centuries has been its textiles and one region, which has always been in the picture in this regard, has been Tamil Nadu. Uraiyur/Karur and Madurai, situated close to the cotton fields, were major centres of weaving. They still are the most prominent centers for the exquisite weaving products. Tanjavour is well known for its cotton weaving with several centres around the state. Cotton has long been the mainstay of the textiles of Tamil Nadu and one sees a wide range here. Madurai specialise in Sarees especially sungudi and cotton sarees.  And Salem specialise in fine gold-bordered Dhotis.

    The White Silk dhoti ( VENPATTU VESHTI) produced by handloom weavers of sourashtra community is unique.  It  produced only at Salem.  Thus " White silk dhoti " creates a textile orinted identification to Salem District Tamil Nadu.  Traditionally Sourashtra weavers engaged in production of pure silk dhoti varities in town area of Salem district, Tamil nadu.

 

The Dhoti is the original and timeless garment of men's wear in India. A rectangular piece of unswitched cloth, it is wrapped in a simple manner about the waist and legs. It is usually white or cream in color, although colourful hues are often used to create more vivid ensembles.

Description: Tradition comes to life with this majestic pure silk OR artsilk dhoti with zari border. Best Ethnic wear for traditional functions, weddings or special occasions.

 Its approximate size :

Length	3.6 meters(4 yards)
Width	48 inches / 121 cms
Fabric	Pure silk / Artsilk / Pure silk & Art silk mixed
Colour	Cream/White

The MayilKan variety is very sutable for wedding and special occassions.  Dhoti and Angavastram weared on religious and wedding occassions.

The highest number of dhoti wearers are found in the western states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Dhoti wearers are predominant in the states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Orissa too. In the northern parts of Gujarat and southern parts of Rajasthan the dhoti is worn with a short kurta called kediya on top. In northern India and West Bengal, the garment is worn with a kurta on top, the combination known simply as dhoti kurta. In Tamil Nadu, it is worn with an angavastram (another unstitched cloth draped over the shoulders) or else with a chokka (shirt) in Andhra Pradesh or jubba (a local version of kurta).


Mahatma Gandhi in Dhoti



Actor Rajnikanth in dhoti

Actor Ajit in Dhoti

Amitab bachan in dhoti

Co-operative weavers societies lik Salem-pattu Co-op society, Rajaganapathi pattu Co-op society, Sourashtra pattu Co-op society, Super pattu Co-op society and many Individuals are producing these white silk dhoti.