Nabarangpur,: Nabarangpur, under the Kosagumuda block, is home to over 40 weaving families in the Mukhaguda village. These weavers, known for their beautiful handwoven fabric, have gained recognition for their traditional craft within the district. However, they face challenges such as lack of government support and limited market access. Despite these hardships, the weavers of Mundaguda village continue their work and avoid resorting to seasonal labor.
The families in Mundaguda produce handwoven fabrics in various colors and designs, including sarees, towels, dupattas, and dress materials, which they sell in local and nearby markets. Particularly in the Chhattisgarh region, there is a significant demand for the traditional “Mani Dhoti.” These traditional handwoven garments, especially in the Gond community, are highly sought after. The prices of these sarees range from ₹6,000 to ₹15,000.
The weavers primarily use “Aal” colored yarn, which comes from the Aal tree. The yarn is processed and dyed, creating a unique color that gives the sarees a special shine and also helps prevent skin diseases. The demand for Aal-colored sarees is higher, especially in the markets of Delhi.
To boost the market for their products, the weavers are given opportunities to showcase and sell their goods at various exhibitions and district-level fairs. However, the supply of yarn inNabarangpur district is insufficient, so they rely on neighboring districts like Koraput and Bargarh to source their raw materials. Koraput is about 350 km away, and the yarn there is more expensive, reducing the profit margins for weavers.
Additionally, the weavers from Bargarh district and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh also sell their handwoven products. These weavers have been trained through various workshops organized by the Handicrafts and Cottage Industries Department, in collaboration with the Koraput Weavers’ Society.
The demand for these handwoven items is also rising in other districts like Sambalpur and Bargarh. The weavers suggest that if training in new designs and access to marketing platforms is provided, it will further benefit their livelihoods. They propose that if a stall is set up in the district headquarters or in cities, market access would become more accessible.
Additionally, the weavers request the government to open a resource center where they can receive support and guidance to improve their craft and business. Several prominent figures like Dhanant, Kamal Chanti, Parshuram G., and others believe that such support would be beneficial for the artisans.