As a part of National Handloom Day 2025, Kumaraguru Institutions, Coimbatore and Vanavarayar Foundation are organizing an event called Nesavu, focusing on handloom traditions in Coimbatore at Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science, for two days August 9th and 10th.

The event includes a curated saree exhibition, photo exhibition and panel discussions. The exhibitions are curated by Shakti Creativity and Culture Centre. It was inaugurated on Saturday. They had enormous educative value. Visitors were able to explore how a fabric is obtained from a simple cotton seed. It was beautifully explained through exhibits explaining the multiple processes it needs to undergo to become the final fabric.

Several decades old wedding saree, cotton saree, silk saree from Coimbatore region with unique stories inspired the visitors.

On the other hand visitors were awestruck by a colorful, saree called 'Mayil Thogai' that was designed by Dharmaraj, a master weaver from Sirumugai belonging to Silkvillage Handloom Training Research Institute, and woven by Sirumugai weavers.

What makes this saree stand apart is that 1,64,432 colors were used to produce the vibrant hues. And if you observe the saree carefully, you could find the 7 wonders of the world elegantly arranged at the border. There is just one saree like this, and it was exhibited at the event.

Another saree that carries history in it is an indigo saree, dyed by researcher Dr.Padmini Tolat Balaram. Most of us know that Indigo is a deep, rich color that lies between blue and violet.

But did you know that Indigo, often called India's Blue Gold, comes from the plant Indigofera Tinctoria? Did you also know that under the British colonial rule, Indian farmers were forced to grow indigo instead of Food crops?

The dye was bought at unfair prices and exported for European markets where its deep blue tone became essential to cotton goods like denim. This demand helped establish India's global presence in cotton trade, allowing Indian farmers to reclaim their place in the international market and move forward with renewed purpose, says Dr.Padmini Tolat Balaram.

The exhibition was full of surprises. Innovative Table Looms were showcased at the event. These 8-shaft looms are considered a very important tool to create complex designs. Students demonstrated their working to the viewers.

The event also featured innovative products made using Jamukalam Yarn. These were conceived by experts at Centre for Weavers - Kumaraguru Institutions and made by weavers associated with it in Bhavani. Who would have thought a Bread Basket could be made using Jamakkalam yarn? This combo has just did that, and it is being exported to  the Northern European markets.

Before a few decades, using Jamakkalam at special occasions was the usual norm. It was widespread in Tamil Nadu but since that got reduced, the weavers who made them faced an uncertainty on what to do with it. Prof. Poongodi, Head, Centre for Weavers (Business Development) at Kumaraguru Institutions shared that their organization works with these weavers to create a wide-range of Jamakkalam-based products that serve the modern-day user.

Jamakkalam-based Tote Bags, Table Mats, Big Shopper Bags, Bread Basket, Duffel Bags are ideated by the Centre and are made by the weavers. These products have received a good reception from consumers. 

Not just that. P.Sakthivel (65), a Jamakkalam weaver from Bhavani, associated with Centre for Weavers - Kumaraguru Institution, is all set to present the Jamakkalam-based products at the prestigious London Fashion Week 2025 scheduled to take place next month. This is one such inspiring story at the event. There are more to explore at Nesavu. It is open for public on August 9th and 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Interested persons can experience the exhibition.

Sujani Balu, Past President - Crafts Council of Tamilnadu; Padmini Tholath Balram, Handloom designer, Sakthivel P, Senior handloom weaver; Thangavel, Bhavani Weaver; Lavanya, Lead, Shakti Creativity and Culture Initiative inaugurated the event in the presence of  students from the department of Fashion Technology and from other institutions.