Hailing from the small town of Chirala, Andhra Pradesh, Rajini Yarlagadda, owner of Rajini Sarees is a passionate businesswoman. She has dedicated her life to promoting traditional handloom and her work seamlessly merges art and social development, helping weavers from the region.
“When I started my business 25 years ago, very few people knew about the numerous types of handloom in our country. I’m glad I’ve been able to sell a wide variety of handlooms,” says Rajini who is all set to host Sangam, an exhibition in Hyderabad on September 18 and 19, that will showcase an exclusive range of handlooms, clothing and diamond jewellery.
The exhibition marks 25 years of her business, and here’s how the exhibition is different from the rest: Rajini has invited a host of handloom weavers from across the nation to showcase their work.
“These weavers are so skilled but their talent is never recognised. Their work is no less than that of an artist. So I’ve decided to felicitate them. We’ve invited weavers who work on saris like jamdani, bandini, patola, Banarasi and more,” adds Rajini, who travelled across India, before she started her business and it was then that she witnessed the pitiful state of the weavers.
“They live in so much poverty. Making a six-metre-sari requires so much of hard work. Also, because their income is very low, the new generation doesn’t want to take up weaving. If this goes on, this centuries-old tradition will die. That’s why I decided to accommodate handlooms in my store,” she says.
Rajini says she owes a lot to her family, friends and the weavers. “This exhibition is not just to celebrate the silver jubilee of my business, but also to show gratitude towards people who have helped me,” adds Rajini. The exhibition, will be attended by many, including prominent personalities such as MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha.
