The sarees of Gadwal
A town in Telangana known for light cotton saris with a silk border, joined by an interlocking method.
Motifs of Gadwal
Woven here
Best time: October to February.
GI: Gadwal sarees are a registered Geographical Indication.
Gadwal is a town in southern Telangana, near the border with Karnataka. Its saris have a cotton body and a silk border and pallu, and they are known for being light, for their strength and for the way the parts are woven together.
What is woven here
A Gadwal sari is usually made with a cotton body, and a silk border and pallu. A key feature is the kuttu or interlocked weft technique, in which the silk and the cotton are joined together by tapestry-style weaving. This makes the border strong and the sari light. There are also all-silk Gadwal saris in which the body is silk.
The craft and its people
Weavers work on handlooms, mostly in homes, and the work is shared among family members. Cooperative societies support the weavers. The sari is popular for functions and weddings in the Telugu states and is also widely worn in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Seeing it
Gadwal has an old fort and a weaving trade that can be seen at the weavers' colonies. Showrooms and cooperative outlets sell the saris. It is some distance from Hyderabad, so most visitors plan it as a longer day or an overnight stay.
A trail idea for Gadwal
- Weavers' colonies See cotton and silk threads interlocked on the loom to form the border.
- Gadwal Fort A fort on the edge of the town, a short stop to understand the place.
- Cooperative showroom Compare cotton-bodied and all-silk Gadwal saris.
Written by the EveryPallu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Gadwal" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and workshops change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.