Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120357150200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Now, saris that light up

Special Correspondent

More orders placed after overwhelming public response

Photo: M. Moorthy

FREAKING OUT: Sound and light silk sari on display in Tiruchi on Tuesday. —

TIRUCHI: The ‘sound and light’ silk saris being exhibited at Cooptex Pothigai showroom in the city has evoked an overwhelming response from the public with the authorities placing more orders for the saree.

The battery-operated thread work sari weighs about 740 gm. There is no zari work in the sari designed by the members of the cooperative silk societies at Kancheepuram. Once the battery is switched on, the sari gets illuminated, displaying the intricate work with pleasing musical notes.

This testifies to the manufacturing and technical innovations of the Kancheepuram weavers.

The ‘sound and light’ sari will be on display at the showroom on Rockins Road from 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. till December 10, according to manager S. Subbiah.

The showroom managed a sales achievement of Rs. 86 lakh during the Deepavali season against a target of Rs. 80 lakh. It has been targeted to market handloom textiles worth Rs. 36 lakh during Christmas, Tamil New Year and Pongal season. The new varieties of A. J. Silk sarees, cotton sarees and bedsheet varieties have already arrived, Mr. Subbiah said.

The government has announced a 30 per cent rebate for the forthcoming festival season, he said and added that the people would be lending a helping hand to the hapless weavers community by purchasing handlooms, he added.