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Kerala

The royal drapes of Balaramapuram Sarees and Fine Cotton Fabrics

The secrets of cotton and golden threads

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Paradise in every weave

Imagine a village where the air hums with the melody of weaving, each rhythmic clack of the loom a note in a generations-old song. Sunlight spills through open workshops, catching on threads that shimmer with the dreams of the weavers. Their nimble fingers deftly work the loom, transforming cotton yarns into fabrics as soft as a whispering breezing that touches the cool backwaters. A village near the city of Trivandrum, famed for capturing the simplicity of Kerala’s people through the drapes of sarees and fine fabrics, this is Balaramapuram.

Intricate craftsmanship

Balaramapuram’s weaving heritage began some 300 years ago in the 19th century during the reign of Kerala's royal family, the Thiruvithamkurs. Their chief minister, Ummini Thampi, brought weavers from Tirunalveli’s Valliyoor to settle in Balaramapuram. These weavers belonged to the Shalia or Chalia community, who arrived to cater to the royal needs for fine drapes. The king, Maharaja Balarama Varma, helped the community start their businesses by allotting them separate streets within the kingdom.

What began as a royal wardrobe project blossomed further. The exquisite cotton handlooms of Balaramapuram, imbued with generations of Shalia skill, became a legend.  It grew vast and soon other communities too learnt the craft of weaving. Today, the rhythmic symphony of the looms in Balaramapuram employs weavers from various communities such as Ezhava, Nadar, Nair, and Mukkuva - especially those struggling to make ends meet.

Time-honoured tradition

There are a couple of reasons why Balaramapuram’s fabrics are so popular. Balaramapuram's magic lies in its cotton yarn, spun so fine that it feels like a whispered caress. The sarees possess a golden glow owing to the use of pure gold threads known as zari (locally known as Kasavu in Malayalam) for borders. No bleaching or dyeing of the fabrics is carried out, they are a natural grey or off white in colour. The golden zari on white and grey fabrics shimmer like moonlight on water. Balaramapuram fabrics are one of the most eco-friendly textiles. Their looms are created from bamboo and are gentle on the environment while they protect the delicate gold threads of zari.

The sarees are ribbed masterpiece; a unique weave creates a mesmerizing ripple effect in the borders. This ribbed weaving is a signature style in Balaramapuram's artistry. Few motifs are used in Balaramapuram saree but they are mostly woven with golden zari threads. At times, a special temple border with intricate kuri designs adorn sarees, dhotis, and set mundus. The result of Balaramapuram’s weaving are fine draperies with an elegance fitting royals.


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More information

Kerala

Where to find them

Balaramapuram provides numerous shops and outlets where tourists looking to take home some of Kerala's heritage can purchase fine textiles. Balaramapuram sarees are classical drapes adored by women of Kerala. The best way to wear these sarees is to pair them with a gajra (jasmine flower garland) decorating the hair.

Balaramapuram Sarees and Fine Cotton Fabrics represent the simple lifestyles of Keralite people yet exudes a regal aura. In 2010, the fabrics were granted the Geographical Indications (GI) tag by the Government of India. Travellers of ‘God’s Own Country’ must hear the soft whispers, the tales told by Balaramapuram fabrics and discover the secrets of this handicraft. Not only will you take home stunning handcrafted textiles but also bring home memories woven with love and tradition.