ORMAS, TATA Trust to jointly help in improving condition of Maniabandha weavers in Odisha

Cuttack, May 25 (KNN) In an effort to help the weavers of Maniabandha in Cuttack district in Odisha, the Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society (ORMAS) has partnered with TATA Trust to work together and ease their hardships. 

The collaboration is between ORMAS and ‘Antaran’, an initiative of TATA Trust and the two organisations will infuse traditional touch of ‘Kataki ikkat’ with contemporary designs. 

Having expertise in weaving Kataki or Maniabandha sarees Cuttack’s Maniabandha is a well-known hub of prolific weavers.

Since 100 years the local economy of the villages is driven by the Khandua sarees.

Speaking about the partnership, Bipin Rout, CEO of ORMAS said, “Antaran through its initiative of Charkha to Market (C2M) aims to prevent drifting away of weavers particularly the younger generation from the handloom sector, so the programme will focus on the development of micro-enterprises led by local weaver entrepreneurs and thereby eliminating the role of middlemen.”

Khandua sarees have a touch of traditionalism and in Odia culture has lot of significance as Lord Jagannath wears the Khandua Patta (silk) saree as his daily wear.  (KNN Bureau)