Crisis looms over Telangana weavers as work, pay remain scarce

HYDERABAD: One of the worst hit by the economic slump aggravated due to the lockdown, weavers and handloom community are struggling to tide over the crisis. With the loom still shut, many are getting sucked into debt.
“We depend on Chinese silk for our work, but that has stopped coming. Even thread is tough to come by,” said Thathi Yelliah, who lives and works in Hayathnagar. The weaver, who works in the Pochampalli and Ikat tradition, says he took a loan of Rs 50,000 in January and the lenders are after him. “I have two children to feed and am depending on handouts. I used to earn Rs 15,000 a month which has stopped from the past three months,” he says.

Speaking about their pitiable condition, Yelliah says that they do not even have basic insurance in case of a death in the family. Like his, many families depend on both husband-wife duo working at the loom. The families have no other source of income with the industry taking a severe hit now.
Soma Narayana Nereda, who makes half-sarees in Vanasthalipuram, says his seth has refused to pay him his monthly income of Rs 14,000. “The seth says unless there is an order he has no work for us. I have begged and borrowed small sums from friends. I have no idea how I will pay them back,” he said.
There are around 22,000 looms in the state, say experts, with at least two people working per loom. Venkat Narsiah, an activist and member of a weavers’ society in Yadadari district, said the situation is similar across the state. “With no material coming in from outside, production has come to a standstill. People don’t even have proper food to eat for three months,” he said.
Not just weavers, barbers, those involved in pottery, blacksmiths and other artisans from the backward classes (BC) community are suffering without work.