Kinnigoli,Mangaluru: Rajya Sabha member Shri Aneel Prasad Hegde requested people to wear handloom and khadi products. Earlier this week, he was addressing the Udupi saree weavers and well wishers of handloom, in handloom week celebration function organised by Kadike Trust with NABARD support at Talipady weavers society Kinnigoli.
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 governments to save this 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 winner weaver Vyasaraya Shettigar of Padupamboor society, Tharanath Kapikad of V4 Channel conferred the Uttama Nekara awards to 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 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 gave vote of thanks. The program concluded with a sumptuous lunch with the menu of the Aati month.