Media Release
Udupi, Aug 31: Somappa Jathanna (89), a weaver and director of the Udupi Weavers Society, has been weaving Udupi Sarees continuously for the past 74 years. He is still creating beautiful small checkered 60-count Udupi Sarees. Sanjeeva Shettigar (84), a weaver and president of the Shivalli Weavers society, has been weaving Udupi Sarees for the past 64 years.
He is renowned for his now-extinct muthu border 60-count saree and continues to weave traditional checkered Udupi Sarees. Both were lauded by the guests for their commitment to preserving the pride of the twin districts against all odds.
The awardees were honored with naturally dyed shawls, a citation plaque, and a cash component of ?10,000 each. Aneel Hegde, former Rajya Sabha MP and khadi activist, congratulated the awardees and praised Kadike Trust’s dedication to reviving Udupi Saree weaving in the two districts. Guruprakash Shetty, DGM of Selco India, expressed his company’s readiness to cooperate with the trust in supporting rural livelihoods.
Santhosh Kaulagi, managing trustee of Janapada Khadi, spoke about the lack of government support, fake products, and customer ignorance in identifying genuine products as reasons for the decline of the handmade sector, leading to rural unemployment, social unrest, and climate crisis. He congratulated the trust for supporting sustainable rural livelihoods without any government support.
Mamatha Rai, president of Kadike Trust, narrated the journey of the Udupi Saree revival and introduced the young weavers of Talipady Weavers Society and team Bagal Bandhugalu of Yelajith Byndoor, both trained by Kadike Trust. She added that senior weavers, who had expressed concern about youngsters drifting away from the profession, are now happy to see the younger generation joining in and continuing the tradition.
Weaving trainer Prabula Chandran from Trivandrum, who trains new weavers across the state and initially trained the Bagal Bandhugalu team, along with Saroja and Annapa Marati, who arranged the training at their home, were honored for their service. Sadhana, a new weaver from Kinnigoli, proudly recited her poem ‘Nekararu Navu Nekararu’.
The programme concluded with a scintillating Veena recital by the Vipanchi Team of Vidushi Pawan Achar. Dr Vani showcased a few Bharatanatyam poses to the lyrics of the songs performed by the veena.
Managing directors, directors, and members of Udupi, Shivalli, Talipady, Padupanamboor, and Brahmavar societies, trustees of Kadike Trust, and dignitaries from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts were present. Titus Noronha of Rahul Advertising compered the programme. Handmade refreshments were served in an eco-friendly manner to the guests. The weaver centric programme, organized in a simple and eco-friendly manner, was appreciated by the participants.