Handloom Weaving Industry in Salem District C.1850-1947

Abstract

The handloom industry is one of the most ancient cottage industries in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. Next to agriculture hand-loom weaving is considered the most important industry in Tamil Nadu as well as India. In Salem district the chief industry was weaving, which was carried on in almost every large town or village, and the weavers of Salem and Ghazipur are especially noted above mentioned the period. The textile cottage industry includes cotton, silk, and bleaching, dying, finishing, hosiery, lce embroidery, silk reeling, silk twisting. It was the chief means of livelihood to people who entirely depend upon it. The word “textile" is derived from the Latin word “Texere" meaning to weave and originally applied only to woven fabrics.² The Handloom sector plays an important role in state economy. Weaving is the basic process among the various manufacturing stages of handloom clothes. It is defined as a frame for weaving equipped with some wooden devices. The sound of the handloom is the music of rural home. In the process of weaving the handloom weavers achieve harmony of motion and rhythms in this region. It is important both as an urban and a rural industry, giving employment to thousands of men, women and children of all communities.