Community, Craft & Impact | The Creative Charm of Tamil Nadu

Come with me to Erode, Tamil Nadu. I've been working with a new weaving community (a cooperative Society) for the past two years, developing handloomed jacquards. This July, I visited them again and every time, I'm in awe of their skill, patience and artistry. These visits are always so special - the first steps are about building trust, learning about the people, the weaves, their set-up and their processes.

Hand looming jacquards is an intricate process: from punching the cards that guide the designs to setting up the loom thread by thread, it's a craft that demands both precision and creativity.

The cooperative, founded in 1962, supports over 350 weavers and sustains more than 3,000 families. Each step is a collective effort: women spin bobbins, men warp the yarn and skilled weavers (both men and women) bring the fabrics to life.

In a single day, one weaver produces only about 2-3 yards of fabric. No electricity, no fabric waste - just human hands, tradition and artistry. Every piece carries small, beautiful imperfections that make it unique.

This is more than fabric. It's a living heritage, culture and livelihood passed down through generations and kept alive by communities who believe in its future.

I feel grateful to be part of this journey, helping support craftsmanship and preserving a tradition that deserves to thrive.