Molakalmuru Sarees: Exploring the Legacy of the Signature 9-Inch Border
GI-Tag: 77, Year 2007-2008 https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublicSearch/Application/Details/77
Where it all began
Tucked away in the town of Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district is an extraordinary weaving tradition that deserves recognition. Known for its distinctive 9-inch-wide zari borders, it features temple-inspired geometric borders and traditional motifs such as peacocks, elephants, and swans. With its lightweight silk, the Molakalmuru saree is a masterpiece, woven for generations.
Molakalmuru has long been recognised as one of Karnataka’s important handloom weaves. History talks about the region’s weaving heritage from the Vijayanagara period, when the South of India witnessed remarkable advancements in textiles.
What makes it special to me?
It’s not easy to find shops where one can find Molakalmuru sarees readily available for purchase. I literally had to search for authentic weavers who could provide silk marks and weave a customised saree for me. Luckily, I could get one!
GI-Tag
The weaving process is labour-intensive. Depending on the complexity of the design, a single saree may take several days or even weeks to complete. As demand for sarees increased and the supply decreased, imitation sarees began appearing in the market, which resembled genuine Molakalmuru sarees but lacked their craftsmanship and authenticity. To safeguard this regional heritage and ensure that imitations were not allowed, the Molakalmuru Saree was granted GI-Tag during 2007–08.
How much does a Molakalmuru saree cost?
The price depends on factors, including silk quality, zari and weaving time, to name a few. Typical pricing:
Simple handwoven silk: ₹8,000–₹15,000
Traditional zari designs: ₹15,000–₹30,000
Bridal zari sarees: ₹30,000–₹60,000
Exclusive master-piece creations: ₹60,000–₹1,00,000
A heritage worth preserving
Every Molakalmuru saree carries forward the knowledge of generations of artisans who have preserved their craft despite changing markets and increasing competition from powerloom products. Do contact me if you need more information about this 9-inch border authentic GI-Tag saree.
See you in the next blog, where I’ll take you through the story of one more GI-tagged saree!