Kodiyala Sarees: The Decline of a Karnataka Weaving Tradition

For much of the 20th century, Kodiyala, a village in Mandya district of Karnataka, was a prominent centre of handloom cotton sarees. These sarees, woven on pit looms, were valued for their strength, comfort and simplicity. Today, however, an authentic Kodiyala saree is nearly impossible to find.

The Collapse of Kodiyala Weaving

Kodiyala’s weaving families once produced sarees that were widely used across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The designs were plain but elegant, suited for daily use in farming and working households.

The decline began with the spread of powerlooms and synthetic textiles, which were cheaper and faster to produce. Weavers faced low wages and exploitation by middlemen. Younger generations left weaving altogether, seeking more reliable work in nearby towns.

By the early 2000s, Kodiyala’s looms had nearly stopped. A cluster that had supported hundreds of weaving families dwindled to only a handful of practitioners.

Migration to Kollur and Bangalore

When weaving in Kodiyala and neighbouring Kollur collapsed, many families migrated to Bangalore and other urban centres. The dispersal of these communities reflects a larger pattern seen across Karnataka, where once-thriving handloom belts fragmented under economic pressure.

Today, several independent weaving units in Bangalore can trace their roots back to these villages. The survival of their skills, despite displacement, is one of the few links that keeps the Kodiyala weaving tradition alive.

Seven Sarees and the Kodiyala Legacy

Many of the weavers now associated with Seven Sarees originally came from Kodiyala and Kollur. After their home clusters lost viability, these artisans carried their skills to new locations, ensuring that the techniques did not vanish entirely.

By working with these families, Seven Sarees connects directly to a lost chapter of Karnataka’s handloom history. While Kodiyala sarees themselves have almost disappeared, their weaving knowledge continues in adapted forms through the work of these master artisans.

Why the Decline Matters

The story of Kodiyala is part of a broader crisis in Indian handloom. Clusters that once produced everyday sarees are disappearing at a rapid pace. Without market access and institutional support, weaving traditions that sustained communities for centuries can vanish within a single generation.

Kodiyala’s near-extinction shows how fragile textile heritage can be. It also underlines the role of migration and adaptation in keeping some part of these skills alive.

Conclusion

The Kodiyala saree has faded from the market, but its weavers have not entirely disappeared. Their skills survive in Bangalore and other clusters, carried forward by families who refused to abandon the loom completely. Initiatives that work with these artisans—such as Seven Sarees—are not revivals of Kodiyala as it once was, but they represent a continuation of its legacy in new contexts.

FAQs on Kodiyala Sarees

1. What is a Kodiyala saree?
A Kodiyala saree was a handwoven cotton saree made in Mandya district of Karnataka. Known for its durability and plain borders, it was widely used as an everyday textile in rural households.

2. Why did Kodiyala weaving decline?
The weaving tradition declined due to the rise of powerlooms, low wages for artisans, lack of government support, and migration of younger generations to better-paying jobs.

3. Are Kodiyala sarees still woven today?
Authentic Kodiyala sarees are extremely rare. Only a few weaving families continue similar cotton handloom practices, while most of the original cluster has disappeared.

4. Where did the Kodiyala weavers go?
Many weaving families migrated to Kollur and later to Bangalore. Some of their descendants continue weaving under different initiatives and collectives.

5. How is Seven Sarees connected to Kodiyala?
Several of the weavers working with Seven Sarees originally belonged to Kodiyala and Kollur. Their craft has survived through migration, linking the brand to Karnataka’s lost weaving traditions.

6. Why are Kodiyala sarees important?
Kodiyala sarees represent a part of Karnataka’s textile history and highlight the larger challenges facing India’s handloom sector, where many everyday weaves have disappeared due to mechanisation.