Weaving suceess from Household Looms to Thriving Enterprises

Chapathuri, June 22: In a small village on the banks of the Brahmaputra, women are proving that traditional skills can become powerful tools of economic independence.

In Chapathuri village under Kamrup district’s Palashbari constituency, women weavers are transforming Assam’s rich handloom heritage into sustainable livelihoods with support from Antaran, an initiative of Tata Trusts.

Once limited largely to household weaving, the artisans today produce a range of traditional and contemporary textiles, including Mekhela Chadors, Eri silk stoles, sarees, dupattas, gamuchas and home furnishing products. They manage everything from yarn preparation and natural dyeing to weaving and marketing.

According to Antaran officials, the initiative has helped significantly boost incomes in the village. Collective earnings from the cluster have risen from around ₹80 lakh annually in 2022-23 to nearly ₹3.5 crore through improved design capabilities, business training and stronger market linkages.

For many women, monthly earnings that once stood at just ₹2,000-3,000 have now increased to between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000.

“We had been weaving traditionally for years, but the training helped us improve our products and reach larger markets,” said artisan Rupali Kalita, whose products are now sold through exhibitions and online platforms across the country.

The initiative has also provided infrastructure support, including loom sheds and warping drum units, while helping artisans build their own brands and connect directly with buyers.

For the women of Chapathuri, weaving is no longer just a tradition passed down through generations. It has become a pathway to financial independence, entrepreneurship and a better future for their families.

Also Read: Conrad pushes data centres, cloud infrastructure as the next frontier for Meghalaya

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.