Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 19: Rajya Sabha member Aneel Prasad Hegde addressed the Udupi saree weavers and well wishers of handloom, in the handloom week celebration organised by Kadike Trust with NABARD support at Talipady Weavers Society, Kinnigoli on August 16.
A khadi and handloom activist himself Hegde, urged people to use handmade products and save rural livelihoods and art. He said, "We need not wait for the governments to save these kind of unique arts and crafts. Instead, we the public should support these artisans."
He lauded the revival efforts done by Kadike Trust in saving GI tagged Udupi saree weaving from extinction in two districts and bringing a brand value for Udupi sarees.
He honoured Booba Shettigar, a 60 count weavers par excellence of Talipady weavers society with Nekara Ratna, an award conferred by Kadike Trust for exemplary Udupi Sarees weaving skills.
Weavers Vittal Shettigar of Udupi society, Booba Shettigar of Padupamboor Weavers Society, George Ammana of Shivalli society and Malathi Shettigar of Talipady weavers society were also conferred with Uttama Nekara awards by Kadike Trust.
Sayish Chowta chief officer of Kinnigoli Town Panchayat , Sangeetha Kartha, DDM, Nabard Udupi and DK District, Guruprakash Shetty, AGM Selco Foundation, national award winning weaver Vyasaraya Shettigar of Padupamboor society, Tharanath Kapikad of V4 Channel conferred the Uttama Nekara awards on the recipients.
Pawana Achar of Vipanchi group Manipal draped in unique Udupi Kase Sarees gave a panchaveena jugal bandi recital with weavers of Talipady Weavers' Society in charaka and Raate, which kept the audience enthralled.
Weavers trained by Kadike Trust performed a ramp walk draped in Udupi sarees woven by them. Weavers also showcased their talents with various cultural programs. Office bearers and members of various weavers co op Societies of DK and Udupi districts were present.
Mamatha Rai, president of Kadike Trust gave information about the revival work and recently released website for Udupi Sarees - www.udupisarees.org .
B C Shetty, secretary, Kadike Trust compered the program. Madhava Shettigar M D Talipady weavers Society proposed a vote of thanks. The programme concluded with a sumptuous lunch with the menu of month Aati.