Tue Sep 02 11:00:36 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The handloom weaving industry in Kuthampully, a village in Kerala, India, known for its GI-tagged cotton and kasavu sarees, is in decline. Once a thriving hub with over 1,500 looms, only around 150 survive today. Weavers face challenges from cheaper powerloom products, lack of government support, financial bottlenecks (delayed funds, unpaid dues), and a lack of interest from the younger generation. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation. Weavers and experts emphasize the need for stronger government intervention and increased public awareness to preserve this cultural heritage.

**News Article:**

**Kuthampully’s Handloom Heritage on the Brink: Can Tradition Survive the Powerloom Era?**

*Thrissur, India – September 2, 2025* – The rhythmic clatter of handlooms, once the defining sound of Kuthampully, a village nestled on the banks of the Bharathappuzha river in Kerala, is fading into silence. This village, famed for its exquisite handwoven cottons and kasavu sarees bearing the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, is grappling with the looming extinction of its traditional craft.

Where once hundreds of families meticulously crafted these intricate textiles, only a handful of weavers remain. Subramanyam, a 70-year-old weaver, laments the drastic change, recalling a time when over 1,500 looms thrived in Kuthampully and neighboring villages. Today, just a fraction of that number perseveres.

The primary culprit is the surge in cheaper, mass-produced powerloom products that flood the market. P. Chandrasekhar, owner of Supriya Weavers, explains the stark contrast: “A handloom saree requires immense labor and precision, with thousands of manual movements. Powerlooms can replicate designs at a fraction of the cost, making it difficult for us to compete.”

The economic struggles are compounded by delays in government funding and significant outstanding payments from state-run outlets, pushing cooperative societies into debt. According to A. Saravanan, secretary of the Kuthampully Cooperative Handloom Society, nearly ₹80 lakh in government funds and ₹1 crore owed by Handex are pending.

The younger generation is also increasingly disinterested in the craft. “My sons are working with powerlooms,” says Mahendran, a weaver with decades of experience. “They can earn more, and I can’t blame them.”

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a further blow, disrupting supply chains and forcing many weaving units to close permanently.

Weavers and industry experts are calling for urgent action. They emphasize the need for increased government support, similar to that provided to weavers in Tamil Nadu, as well as greater public awareness of the value of handloom products.

“This is not just fabric; it’s a tradition and an identity,” Chandrasekhar asserts. “Unless buyers make conscious choices to support handloom, this craft will vanish.”

Kuthampully’s plight serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing traditional crafts in the face of modernization. The future of this unique cultural heritage hangs in the balance, dependent on the commitment of policymakers and consumers alike.

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