The sarees of Uppada
A coastal village in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, known for jamdani silk saris woven with a supplementary weft.
Motifs of Uppada
Woven here
Best time: November to February.
GI: Uppada Jamdani sarees are a registered Geographical Indication.
Uppada is a small coastal village on the Bay of Bengal, close to Kakinada. It is known for the Uppada jamdani, a light silk sari woven with extra weft threads to make floral patterns.
What is woven here
Uppada saris are made in silk, usually with a zari border and patterns picked out in supplementary weft. The technique is akin to the jamdani of Bengal, and the cloth is light and fine. Typical colours are soft and bright, and common designs are small flowers and buttas over the body. The saris are chosen for weddings and other functions.
The craft and its people
Weaving is done in homes, using a jala device, a kind of dobby, rather than a draw-boy. Several family members work together on a single sari. Coastal winds and storms have sometimes interrupted weaving, and the trade has depended on cooperative societies and private firms for sales.
Seeing it
Uppada is a village on a beach road, with weavers' homes along its lanes. Kakinada is the nearest city, and the Godavari region around it has other points of interest for travellers. Ask locally to be introduced to weavers.
A trail idea for Uppada
- Weavers' homes in Uppada See the extra-weft patterns built up thread by thread on the loom.
- Cooperative society outlet Check the range of light silk and jamdani-style saris.
- Kakinada The nearest city, useful as a base, with a seafront and markets.
Written by the EveryPallu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Uppada" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and workshops change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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