Pattamadai mat weavers adopt digital marketing

When the ‘kora’ mat weavers of Pattamadai village in Tirunelveli district needed avenues to promote their merchandise over the past lockdown, the Crafts Council of India determined to provide them a month-and-half-long coaching on the best way to do enterprise utilizing web and good telephones.

“We are now teaching them to take photos and make e-catalogues so that they can get in touch with prospective buyers. The district Collector is already in talks with e-commerce platforms to market their products,” stated Gita Ram, chairperson, CCI, at a web based webinar to debate the best way ahead for the 40 Lebbai ladies who at the moment are a part of 4 self-help teams.

Sudha Ravi, treasurer, CCI, stated that the Council’s relationship with Pattamadai was an extended and enduring one. In the early 90s, the CCI had inspired this cluster to submit well-woven mats for the nationwide awards choice panel. Ibrahim Beevi was the primary to obtain this prestigious award in 1993. This was the ‘awakening’ of the general public to the wonders of this craft. CCI has been showcasing their merchandise for a number of years via their crafts bazaars and Kamala shops, she stated.

Mohammed Fathima stated she was comfortable to have the ability to market the mats. “We used to make them based on orders, earning ₹300 per mat as labour. GST is a road block for our development. We need a waiver from that,” she stated.

Kavva Beevi, one of many weavers, stated she had been working for over 30 years with the mats and she or he needed their youngsters too to study the talent of constructing the superb silk mats of 100 rely selection. She needed a coaching centre the place the subsequent technology can study the craft. The 100-hour-long programme was performed by the CCI when the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation requested them to work with a cluster and sponsored it together with Sankalp, a programme assisted by World Bank. Now, the CCI is within the strategy of organising financial institution accounts for the ladies and likewise a revolving fund from which they will take cash to purchase ‘kora’ grass, which is accessible solely in sure seasons. “They will replace the amount when they sell their mats so that they can use it the next time to buy ‘kora’ grass,” stated Latha Thirumal, mission coordinator.

Tirunelveli district Collector Vishnu stated the weavers wanted market entry to their merchandise. He stated a coaching centre could be arrange earlier than the tip of the present monetary 12 months. He additionally urged CCI to provide skilled steering to the ladies on the best way to develop the cluster.