Chanderi weavers go online

16th November 2020
Chanderi weavers go online

These images show the Chanderi weavers at work; a van collecting their products for online sales and a volunteer helping them learn the ropes of digital payments.
November 16 2020: This Diwali, the traditional saree weavers  of Chanderi in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, took their  products to an online shoppe, helping obvercome the restrictions of the Covid pandemic and its lockdowns. They were helped by OKCredit, a startup specializing on digital solutions for small  businesses.
The weaving culture of Chanderi emerged between the 2nd and 7th centuries. It is situated on the boundary of two cultural regions of the state, Malwa and Bundelkhand. The people of the Vindhyachal Ranges have a wide range of traditions. In the 11th century the trade locations Malwa, Medwa, central India and south Gujarat increased the region's importance.The Chanderi sari tradition began in the 13th century, with mostly muslim weavers. Around 1350, Koshti weavers from Jhansi migrated to Chanderi and settled there. During the Mughal period, the textile business of Chanderi reached its peak.
Chanderi saris are produced from three kinds of fabric: pure silk, Chanderi cotton and silk cotton.Traditional coin, floral art, peacocks and geometric designs are woven into different Chanderi patterns. The saris are among the finest in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk, and opulent embroidery.

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