Two esteemed saree weavers, Sanjeeva Shettigar (85) and Somappa Jattana (89), will be honored with the prestigious ‘Nekara Ratna’ award by the Kadike Trust. This distinguished accolade is awarded for their extraordinary contributions to the art of handloom weaving.
Sanjeeva Shettigar, the president of the Shivalli Primary Weavers Service Cooperative Society, and Somappa Jattana, the director of the Udupi Primary Weavers Service Cooperative Society, have dedicated nearly 74 and 66 years, respectively, to their craft. They are recognized as the oldest active weavers in the former undivided DK district.
Shettigar’s expertise includes the now-extinct pearl border weave, a skill he practiced until 2019. He remains actively engaged in weaving intricate 60-count sarees with distinctive basket designs and continues to offer design and technical support to other weavers.
Jattana is celebrated for his exceptional cut border Udupi sarees, which feature delicate 60-count chaukuli patterns. Both artisans have been instrumental in preserving the eco-friendly traditions of Udupi saree weaving, contributing significantly to the revival of this nearly endangered craft.
The ‘Nekara Ratna’ award acknowledges Shettigar and Jattana’s invaluable role in safeguarding and advancing the heritage and sustainability of Udupi saree weaving.
