Ghanshyam Sarode was always interested in textiles — despite an education in chartered accountancy. Which is why, since 1981, the man has been busy giving Indian handloom several twists. And as, the proposed National Handloom day (August 7), Sarode — with his 150 looms in 25 villages — is relieved.
“When I started out, I realised not many were even aware of the various textiles or weaving styles. So from then to today, I think we have come a long way and I’m happy to be part of the movement,” he says, adding, “In the early ’80s I started selling Paithani saris in Mumbai. At that point, there were hardly any Paithani saris and the government was trying to revive it.”
He started buying saris from a government agency and sold them. “I also developed an interest in these saris and I found myself researching old techniques,” he says. After picking a design, he would take it to the government society and get it designed... that was how it all started. After a few years, Ghanshyam moved back to his village in Narayanpet, famous for the Narayanpet silk saris. “I wanted to try something new, so I created the Narayanpet cotton saris. But my business didn’t do that well.”
Years later, however, Ghanshyam shifted to Uppada, a coastal village in AP famous for its silk saris. “I introduced the Jamdhani method to the Uppada weavers and though there were a few roadblocks, I gained a foothold and that’s how I eventually shifted to Hyderabad in 1996.”
The move resulted in various other projects and a plan to help his weavers too. “About six years ago we started creating Paithani saris where costs can be high — depending on the time it takes to make a sari. For example, a Rs 11 lakh sari can take up to a year.”
Sarode also chalked out a way to keep weavers happy. “I pay them a monthly wage. They used to get paid per sari which was unfair. Monthly pay makes sure both humanity and quality don’t suffer. For a good weave, you need happy weavers.”
