I am on vacation for 3 weeks. This time is giving me time and space to go to places within Bangalore, that I could not otherwise visit. I am able to meet some amazing people doing some amazing work. I came to know that there are Chiffon weavers in Yelahanka. One day this week I just marched towards that other corner of the city. A friend helped me with the directions and beyond a point she said, you have to ask and reach out. So once I reached the old Yelahanka town, I had to park the car.
Weavers in bylanes of Yelahanka
And walk through lanes and lanes and ask some 10-12 people before I could hear the sound of weaving machines. I peeped into one of the doors. Interestingly not many people in the neighborhood knew about this place. Or maybe I was not able to communicate properly due to the obvious language barrier.
Following the sound of the machine, as I approached the door and tried to open it quietly, a lady and gentleman working there took their eyes off the threads they were holding and looked at me with a question in their eyes. I smiled and said I want to see the weaving. They asked me to come in. There was a curtain cloth being woven. And a Silk Sari being woven. I observed them for some time, but my limitation with the local language did not allow to me ask many questions. They told me there are many such small units spread across that area.
Chiffon Weaving
I walked a bit and then I heard a lot of rhythmic movements of many such machines. And I realized they were coming from a narrow lane. I walked into that lane. Everywhere around it looked as if I have entered someone’s house. And I was not wrong. Two gentlemen came out. Thankfully they could speak and understand Hindi. I told them that I want to see chiffon weaving. They took me around and explained me the process. I was not aware of the fact that most of the raw material that comes to these units for weaving is sourced from China. As Srinivas explained to me that the local material is costlier than the Chinese one.
All the units in that area are owned by one family. They produce thousands of Saris every month. Along with the fine materials like crepe, chiffon and various types of silks.
After this, he asked me what would you like to buy and I said ‘Nothing’. I could see a bit of disappointment on his face. So I called up my neighbors and my mother to ask if they would like something. Needless to say, they wanted everything. And I did end up buying a chiffon sari and some Crepe material. It was quite an experience in itself to search the weavers and see the small weaving units.
I used to go thru Yelahanka daily. It was on the way to college.. This was for 4 years.. Never knew this existed..
Can you give more details on where it is in Yelahanka..
Hi, You have to go to the old yelahanka town and then ask for the waevers or just weave around the lanes till you heard the weaving amchines…
Hi Anuradha,
Can you help with address or lanes (names) some info. I read your friend helped you to reach particular place.
Some info on this will be great.
are you still interested.
email davidindia@gmail.com
I can send phone numbers of some weavers in Yelahanka
Yes iam interested
can you please send .I am interested.
hi i am interested too
hi
m interested u can whatsapp me 9886521885.
hey what are the price ranges? are they less costlier than the retail outlets?
Varsha, they were not at all costly when I had gone.
Hi dear…jus read your blog…very good info…I stay at yelahanka old town..do you hav any landmarks there to proceed to thier homes
Harika – unfortunately, I went there a long long time ago and have no clue. Just follow the sound of weaving or ask people around. Apologies.
Very old post but I like searching this kind of info. Nice.
Thanks Sims. Sometimes I like reading my old posts and remember these insightful journeys.
Very nice information……thanks for share……..
Happy that you liked the post Amul.
The hidden Silk weaving clusters of India should be promoted. Nice contribution from your side to bring Yelahanka to limelight
Thanks Tirtha. Yes, it should be promoted. This blog is my contribution to shedding some light on these hidden gems of India.
Nice one. I remember visiting this section of Yelhanka way back and found the same very fascinating, If it were abroad, they would have sold it as a cultural and tourist destination. Like the cheese factories of Netherlands. Wish we could do the same.
Ami, you are in Bangalore, start taking tours of people to these places. You would be doing great service to both the weavers and the travelers, and may be make some money in the process.
Your post was exactly what I was looking for.. if you could recall the location in yelahanka could you share the information.. I would like to go
Just ask around Anju- most people work from homes.
IS there a proper address to reach them or contact them?
Not that I know of Nirali. Just walk in there and you will find many weavers weaving in their homes.
Any idea about silk saree weavers in bangalore? ?
These are the silkk Saree weavers of Bangalore.
Yes I’m in
Hi Anuradha,
Any other places in mind where we have weavers in Bangalore,
Hi Smitha – I am not aware of any other place in Bangalore where weavers live and work.
Hai ,i want to kNow more about that ,need contact of them ,mostly silk saree wevers,
Hi Anuradha,
Thanks for publishing this information. Would it be possible for you to share the location and/or contact information of the weavers. I want to explore the possibility of collaborating with them on a project of mine.
Thanks and Regards,
Ganesh Bhat
Unfortunately, I have no information regarding these weavers.
Excellent job. This article very helpful to show other people skills.
A very nice article, this presented to our country nice….
Hi Anuradha ..ur article is very good and very helpful …… If I get a chance I will go and visit. Thank u
Thanks for sharing the valuable info. very helpful to me. thank you for this article
Very good information shared, thanks for this.
You have shared a really good article, Thanks for this.