Mangaluru: Areca nut and other naturally dyed range of Udupi Sarees made under the guidance of Kadike Trust were launched at Talipady Weavers Society Kinnigoli.
Kadike Trust, an NGO that started Udupi Saree Revival in 2018 successfully brought back weaving from extinction in two districts with multifangled approaches like a Social media campaign, training with Nabard support and other measures.
As an initiative to make Udupi saree more eco-friendly and attractive Kadike Trust started natural dyeing experiments for the first time in Talipady weavers Society Kinnigoli since 2019.
Shree Padre, executive editor, Adike Patrike who released the sarees with other guests said that even though areca was not grown in Japan the royals used to wear areca-dyed attire from yarns dyed from areca dye imported from Vietnam and other areca-growing areas.
He lauded the efforts of Kadike Trust which worked relentlessly for the past five years to bring back Udupi sarees weaving from the verge of extinction from scratch.
Guruprakash Shetty AGM Selco India congratulated Kadike Trust for successfully launching natural dyed Udupi sarees dyed with equipment under a 100 per cent grant allocated by Selco India through the Trust at Talipady weavers society. Solar water heater lighting, winding device, agitator, grinder and dryer was provided by Selco India through Kadike Trust.
M R Pai Ex Director Selco India and organic farmer who was observing activities of the Trust from the beginning lauded the performance of the Trust.
Mamatha Rai President Kadike Trust who had guided the natural dying process explained the various steps involved in the natural dying method. Mamies School House of Natural Dye Education, Canada which had given a scholarship grant to Mamatha Rai for an online natural dye course.
Areca, Indigo, Madder, wild almond, marigold, pomegranate, golden shower, coconut husk and eucalyptus-dyed sarees with many shades will be produced in the future under the guidance of Kadike Trust.
Dyer Vasudeva Shettigar, weavers Sadhana Ganesh and Vedavathi narrated their experience in the making of Natural dyed Udupi Sarees.
Recently Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman was gifted a natural dyed Udupi saree by Adamaru mut seer Shri Eesha priya thitha swamiji on the occasions of her daughter’s wedding.
Rukmini Shettigar President of Talipady Weavers Society was present on the dias.
Dr Vani, Dr Kumar, Benita Soans, Sahana Soans, Jayaram Shettigar, Weavers Community Leader, Mahesh Punchappady Secretary All India Arecanut growers Federation, Senior Media personnel Na Karantha Peraje, Ravi Kamila, Harsha, Manjunath, Mithun, Nishanth Shetty, Taranatha Gatti Kapikad, Prasad Shenoy were present.
Trustees of Kadike Trust and weavers, Directors of Talipady Weavers Society and well-wishers were present.
Madhava Shettigar M D of Weavers Society gave the vote of thanks.
BC Shetty compered the program.
Products will be available through the website www.udupisaree.org on prior booking soon.
