Thread by thread, Pochampally weavers bring a living tradition to Hyderabad

Minister for Roads and Buildings and Cinematography, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy inspects a handloom stall at a three-day sales exhibition at Hitex in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

The rhythmic clatter of a handloom rises above the chatter of visitors in Hall No. 4 of the Hitex exhibition center in Hyderabad. In the center of the gathering sits 71-year-old Yadagiri, his hands moving with practiced ease as hundreds of threads slowly come together to form a pink Pochampally Ikat saree. People stop around him, watch, ask questions and take photos. For many, this is their first glimpse into the painstaking process of one of Telangana’s most famous handloom traditions.

However, the loom is nothing new to Yadagiri. A weaver from Bhongir in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district spent nearly six decades in it. “It takes us four days to weave one sari. After weaving, it goes to dyeing and finishing before it’s ready for sale,” he says, carefully guiding the shuttle between the threads.

The sari that takes shape in front of visitors is expected to cost around ₹9,000. But when onlookers witness the work involved, the price tag begins to tell a different story, one of time, skill and patience rather than just the fabric. Yadagiri says she has been weaving since she was 15 and continues to work for about 8 hours a day.

But beneath his pride in his craft lies a growing concern. “My children have also become weavers, but my grandchildren are not interested. The tradition we were once proud of is slowly dying,” she says.

His concern is reflected in the ‘Thread Pochampally’ exhibition, where around 100 weavers have set up stalls selling sarees, clothing materials, shirts and other handwoven products. The exhibition also showcases the natural dyes used in Telangana and offers visitors an opportunity to observe the weaving process first-hand.

The event attracted a steady stream of visitors, from young professionals and students to families and seniors. Among them is Kanika, a 32-year-old IT professional who moved to Hyderabad three years ago. “I first heard about Pochampally last year. I always felt that the products were a bit expensive. But after seeing how the weavers work today, I understand how much human effort goes into each piece,” she says.

At the Bhagyalakshmi Sarees stall, Bhagyalakshmi, who hails from Pochampalla, says she often attends handloom exhibitions in Hyderabad. However, this is the first time that it is part of an exhibition dedicated exclusively to Pochampally Ikat. “Despite the UNESCO recognition, many people in Telangana are still not fully aware of Pochampally and its significance. Exhibitions like this help people understand the craft and appreciate the work of the weavers,” he says.

Organized by the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District Administration with the support of CSR partners, the exhibition has turned out to be a cultural showcase as well as a commercial success. According to collector Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, the Anuraag Jayanti exhibition attracted more than 13,000 visitors in the first three days alone and generated sales exceeding ₹2.3 crore.

Published – 07 Jun 2026 20:46 IST