hand weaving of wool - an over view -...
TRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER- III
HAND WEAVING OF WOOL - AN OVER VIEW
3.1 IN INDIA
3.2 IN KARNATAKA
3.3 KAMBLI - THE WOOLEN BLANKET
3.4 THE SHEEP
3.5 THE WOOL
3.6 THE WOOL WEAVERS CALLED KURUBAS
3.7 INSTITUTIONAL AGENCIES
LThe Central Wool Development Board iLThe Karnataka Sheep and
Sheep Products Board ULSheep Breeders Association iv.Sheep forms
v.Wool Analysis Laboratory vLWool Apex Society viLGrama Bharathi
Apex Federation viiLKarnataka Khadi and Gramodyoga Sangha
ix.Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation x.Karnataka State
Khadi and Village Industries Board xi.Wool Weavers Co-operative
Societies.
3.8 CONCLUSION
HAND WEAVING OF WOOL - AN OVER VIEW
This chapter is conceived to provide a bird's eye view of woolen
handloom industry in India and Kamataka. It is found necessary to give an
idea about environmental and institutional settings of this industry. It is tried to
present a brief picture of this industry in the past and present along with the
social, cultural and economic importance of the product and the producers.
3.1 IN INDIA
In India, handloom weaving is a major cottage industry in every state
supporting lakhs of persons either as direct earners or as dependent earners.
For the year 1951 the total number of handlooms were reported to be about 30
lakhs. Of these, 8.4 lakhs were in Madras, 4.8 lakhs in Assam 1.5 lakhs in
Uttarpradesh, about 2 lakhs in Bihar, 1.6 lakhs in Bomby, 1.2 lakhs in Manipur,
1.3 lakhs in Orissa, 1 lakh in Madhyapradesh and a little less than 1 lakh in
west Bengal. In addition, about 23,000 power looms are reported to be in use,
of which nearly 15,000 are in Bombay, and rest, mainly in Madhyapradesh,
Mysore, West Bengal, Punjab and Madras.^
Cottage sector in the woolen industry, by location, is concentrated in
three distinct climatic regions; hill areas, desert areas and plains. Two of these
hill areas are having little employment opportunities other than weaving for
lack of power, communication and productive asset resources. Even
agricultural activities in these regions are limited due to severity of climate.
Within these regions, there is concentration of industry in many states.
1 Planning Commission of India, "All India Rural Credit survey Report- 1954",
P. 116
43
Region - States
1. Hills — Jammu & Kashmir, HimachalPradesh, Uttar Pradesh hills.
2. Desert areas - Rajasthan, Punjab
3. Plains - Haryana, Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh, Kamataka.
Hand weaving of wool is of importance in certain areas. In Rajasthan, which is
the biggest wool producing area in the country, the spinning and weaving of
wool are of special economic significance. In certain regions, where the total
economic resources are poor, as for example in Rayalseema,wool production is
particularly important, although relatively low quality of wool makes possible
only the production of coarse blankets and carpets of inferior quality. Carpets
are manufactured on a large scale in Rajasthan, in Mirzapur and Bhadohi in
Uttara Pradesh, and in Eluru and Masali Patnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The woolen industry in India broadly falls under two sectors-organised
sector and decentralized sector. Organised sector comprises of (i) Composite
Mills (ii) Combining units (iii) Worsted and non-worsted spinning units (iv)
Machine made carpet-manufacturing units. Decentralized sector comprises of
(i) Hosiery and Knitting (ii) Power loom (iii) Hand Knotted carpets, Druggets
and Namdahas (iv) Independent dyeing and processing houses."'
Table-3.1 presents information regarding present scenario of Indian
woolen industry for the year 2002-03. However, it does not provide more
information regarding handlooms.
2. Jain. L.C,1983, op.cit. 427 3. Planning Commission of India, Report on wool and Textiles, 2003, Ch-l,P-66
44
Table 3.1
The Wool Industry in India- Present Scenario
SI. No.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
Particulars
Total number of registered units Total number of persons employed Total exports(excluding hand made carpets, dharies etc) 2000-01 Total imports of raw wool 2001 -02 Total imports of woolen and cotton Rugs 2000-01 Installed Capacity as on 20-07-2001 2001 -02
i) a)wool combing (million Kgs) b)Synthetic fibre (million Kgs)
ii) Worsted spindles (Nos. in Lakhs) iii) Non worsted spindles (Nos. in Lakhs) iv) Power loom (including decentralized
sector) v) Machine made carpet sector
(lakhs sq.mtrs) (million Kgs)
Amount/Quantity
718 12 lakhs (app)
Rs. 1642.22 (Crs) Rs.l378.74(Crs)
53.75(Millionkgs) 72.49 (Million Kgs)
29.25 3.57 6.04 4.7
7228
8.10 2.27
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2002-03, Planning Commission of India.
3.2 IN KARNATAKA
Cottage industries and handicrafts were important in the economy of
erstwhile Mysore State."* Handloom industry is one of the ancient and
important industries in Kamataka. Even today it provides means of livelihood
to over 2% of the population of the state and has been observed that the
industry was flourishing in the ancient Kamataka. Literary sources like
writings of Harihara and Bilhana speak of large variety of fabrics produced in
Kamataka and taxes like nuludere (tax on yarn), maggadere (tax on loom),
bannige (tax on dyeing), etc., are also mentioned. Weaving also flourished
under Tippu and Haider, Kings of Mysore. Bangalore, Doddaballapur, Hubli
48. NCAER, Govemment of India, 1965, Op.cit.P162
45
Gadag and Ilkal were flourishing centers of traditional crafts during the 19*
century as well. With the advent of British, the industry had to face severe
competition from their textile mill products. MacDonald wrote in 1862,
"Bangalore is supposed to have contained 12000 looms, but here is only a third
of that number now in operation" and he adds that "many weavers left the
towns and gone into interior since every necessity of life has become earnestly
dear".^
However, the textile group including manufacture of cotton and wool
fabrics under cottage industry conditions did not disappear totally. From 1913,
with the establishment of Industrial Department in Mysore state, attempts were
made to rejuvenate and revitalize those industries. The Swadeshi Movement
also fostered the handloom industry. The agencies, which accounted for the
development of this industry are. All India Handloom Board and Khadi and
Village Industries Commission. This industry in Kamataka, even after the re
organisation, has occupied a place of prominence by virtue of its being the
largest cottage industry providing means of livelihood to about 7.5 lakh
persons, mostly in villages. According to 1975 Census Handlooms , there
existed 1, 02,834 handlooms of which about 40% were within the co-operative
fold.
The major objective of the development program as envisaged in Five
Year Plans for the handloom industry are, (1) To increase the co-operative
coverage, (2) To revitalize the existing co-operative societies so as to bring
more looms under production program, (3) To provide such assistance as
would raise the level of technical efficiency and art, (4) To assist Apex weavers
co-operative institutes in order to enable them to play a more effective role in
marketing and (5) To provide welfare facilities for handloom weavers.^
5. S.U.Kamath, 1982, Op.cit.P.895 6. lbidP.876 7. IbidP.896
46
By the end of 1980, Kamatakafs woolen industry had established a firm
footing with an annual production Of 3,825 tones of wool and with 2500
handlooms to weave it into fabrics an(| blankets. Out of this 2500 looms, 1800
looms were under co-operative sector. Kamblis produced in Kamataka —
particularly in Kolar, Bijapur, Chitradurga and Belgaum districts are well
known for their quality. About 96% of Co-operatives of wool weavers
working in the State were producing'about Rs.87.89 lakhs worth of kamblis i
and blankets. 17000 artisans were engaged in this industry whose annual earning is about 35.66 lakhs. Rs.120.67 lakhs worth of goods and about 14,770
artisans were in this field earning about Rs.39.70 lakhs.
Table-3.2 shows the distribution of number of woolen handlooms /
households at different point of time in Kamataka. During the period from
1873 to 1955 the numbers of looms have been increased in almost all
TableNo-3.2
Number of looms from 1873-1955 and house holds in 1994
SI. No.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Compi
District
Bangalore Kolar Tumkur Mysore Chikkamagalure Shimoga Chitradurga Hassan Mandya Bellary Other Districts Total
led from: 1. T.K.Laxman, 1966,
. . . . J ,
No. of Looms
1873 1
NA 1732 NA
1822 1451 480 387
1500 NA NA
, NA 7372
Cbttage,
1931
499 797
2360 1280 230
90 1917 333 NA NA NA
7086
and Sma
1955
238 818
2248 583 97
144 2193
163 520 NA NA
8004
I Scale Inc
No. of households
1994
27 10
2298 0
142 0
4330 02
521 0
2547 9867
ustries in Mysore, Mysore, Rao and Raghavan, part-II, P.68
2. Report on Rural Artisan Survey - 1994, Vol.2B, District Tables, Directorate of Economics and Statistics,Bangalore, P.l
8. S.U.Kamath, 1982, Op.cit.P.873
47
districts except in Bangalore, Mysore, Chikkamagalore and Hassan district
where the numbers have been decreased.. By the end of 1994, the large
numbers of woolen handloom housefiolds were concentrated in Chitradurga
and Tumkur districts
Report on The Rural Artisan Survey conducted by the Government of
Kamataka in the year 1994 provides extensive data about the woolen handloom
industry in Kamataka.
Table-3.3 provides the data about the distribution of wool weaving
households-district wise, along with the distribution of total workers and hired
workers. According to the survey there were 9,867 wool weaving households
in Kamataka in 1993-94. Among them Chitradurga district only had 4,330
households forming 43.89 per cent of the total. Tumkur is the next largest
district having 2,298 woolen handloom households forming 23.29 percent.
These two districts, in all, consist of 67.18 percent of artisans in the State. The
other districts account for 2547 households that is about 26 per cent of the total.
The table No.2.2 shows that until the year 1955 there was a spatial
spread of these artisans in the State when compared to the year 1994. There
were about 163 looms were there in Hassan district in 1955and by 1994 the
number has come down to two only.
It indicates the shift of artisang from wool weaving to other occupations
as they might have found it not viable to continue in the same occupation from
the view point of economic retum. The expansion of Bangalore and Mysore
cities too might have influenced the woolen weavers to give up the job in favor
of other occupations generated by urbanization. However, the number of
household artisans has been increased most probably due to the encouragement
the sheep rearing received in the district of Chitradurga.
48
Table-3.3 Distribution of Woolen Handloom Households and Workers
by District (Rural), 1994
SI. No.
1 1
2 3 4 5 6
IBA 7 8 9
10
District
2 BANGALORE BANGALORE RURAL CHITRADURGA KOLAR SHIMOGA TUMKUR
NGALORE IVISION BELGAUM BIJAPUR DHARWAD UTTARA KANNADA
II BELGAUM DIVISION 11 12 13 14
BELLARY BIDAR GULBARGA RAICHUR
III GULBARGA IVISION 15
16 17 18 19 20 IV
CHIKKAMAGALUR DAKSHINA KANNADA HASSAN KODAGU MANDYA MYSORE
MYSORE DIVISION STATE
No. of house holds
3 12
15 4330
10 0
2298 4369
294 561
1326
0 2181
0 46
184 126 356 142
0 2 0
521 0
2961 9867
Percentage
4 0.12
0.15 43.89
0.10 0.00 232
44.28 2.98 5.69
13.43
0.00 22.1
0 0.47 1.86 1.28 3.61 1.44
0.00 0.02 0.00 5.28 0.00
30.01 ibo.oo
Total
5 40
50 14124
33 0
7917 14254
686 1503 2465
0 4654
0 185 740 508
1433 491
0 7 0
1795 0
10203 30544
Woolen arti Percent
age 6 0.13
0.16 46.25
0.11 0.00
25.91 46.67
2.25 4.92 8.07
0.00 15.24
0 0.61 2.42 1.66 4.69 1.61
0.00 0.02 0.00 5.88 0.00 33.4
100.00
san workers
Hired
7 5
6 1782
4 0
58 1798
16 54 0
0 70
0 6
22 15 43
4
0 1 0
13 0
75 1986
Percentage 8 0.25
0.30 89.73 0.20 0.00 2.93
90.53 0.81 2.71 0.00
0.00 3.52 0.00 0.30 1.11 0.76 2.17 0.20
0.00 0.05 0.00 0.65 0.00 3.78
100.00
Source: Report on the Rural Artisan Survey-1994, Vol-2B (District Tables), Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore, P.l
Table-2.3 presents information about the district wise distribution of
house holds and division of workers. Out the total work force of 30,554 in the
year 1994, 1986 were the hired workers forming only 6.5 percent of the total.
In other words, it can be clearly understood that the wool weaving is carried
out by the family labour. Out of the total work force of 14124 in Chitradurga
49
district, 1782 are the hired workers i.e. 12.62 per cent of the total. This
percentage is almost remaining same in all the districts of Bangalore Revenue
Division, excluding Shimoga where the hand weaving of wool is nil. In
Belgaum division, this percentage is 1.50 followed by 3.00 percent in Gulbarga
division and 0.79 percent in Mysore division. The Rural Artisans Survey
Report- 1994 also reveals that the industry is totally a manufacturing one and
no other activity like servicing has been undertaken. Table-3.4 reveals that out
of the total number of workers about 68.43 per cent are illiterates. There were
no graduates and persons technically trained in the occupation. Among the
literates 54.77 per cent were studied upto Primary Standard, 45.23 per cent
were studied upto Higher Primary Standard and there were no weavers
educated above Higher Primary Standard. Hand weaving of wool in Kamataka
is almost an hereditary occupation carried out largely with own capital under
single ownership.'
The same Report provides information about the distribution of
households based on the nature of job and the income category to which the
households belong. It classified the households into those who hold the craft as
a ftiU time job and those who hold it as an income supporting occupation
besides the main occupation like agriculture, rearing of animals, etc.
According to the report, 4922 households whose total income was below
Rs.5000 per annum had resorted to this craft as a full time job that is, 49.89 per
cent of the total. The percentage of house holds whose income fall between
Rs.5000 to Rs.10000 in the same category is 37.43. In all, about 87 per cent of
the total households are supported by this occupation totally for their livelihood
and their income was below Rs.lO, 000.'**
9. Government of Kamataka, Report on the Rural Artisan Survey -1994, Vol.2B (District Tables) Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore, P.64
10.Ibid.
50
Table-3.4 Distribution based on Education Leves and Literacy Percentage of
Handloom Artisan Workers : District wise- 1994
SI. No.
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
DISTRICT
2
BANGALORE
BANGALORE RURAL
CHITRADURGA
KOLAR
SHIMOGA
TUMKUR
I BANGALORE DIVISION
7
8
9
10
BELGAUM
BIJAPUR
DHARWAD
UTTARA KANNADA
II BELGAUM DIVISION
11
12
13
14
BELLARY
BIDAR
GULBARGA
RAICHUR
III GULBARGA DIVISION
15
16
17
18
19
20
CHIKKAMAGALUR
DAKSHINA KANNADA
HASSAN
KODAGU
MANDYA
MYSORE
IV MYSORE DIVISION
STATE
Percent Household
Primary 3
50.00
47.06
45.65
45.45
0.00
50.00
45.67
73.17
62.75
85.27
0.00
79.18
0.00
95.45
94.38
93.44
94.19
59.15
0.00
59.29
0.00
59.23
0.00
59.27
54.77
Higher 4
50.00
52.94
54.35
54.55
0.00
50.00
54.33
26.83
37.25
14.73
0.00
20.82
0.00
4.55
5.62
6.56
5.81
40.85
0.00
40.71
0.00
40.77
0.00
40.73
45.23
age of Literate Artisan Workers Graduation
5
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Technical 6
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0 00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Source: Report on the Rural Artisan Survey-1994, Vol-2B (District Tables), Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore, P.3
51
3.3 KAMBLI - THE COARS WOOLEN BLANKET
Historians and scholars are of the opinion that during the civilizations of
ancient Egypt, Babylonia and Mesopotamia, woolen products were used by the
people as blankets and druggets. Among all others, Persians were said to be
the first to weave and use woolen products in the world. Since sheep rearing is
one of the ancient occupations of India, wool weaving has also been an
important household occupation in the States like Jammu and Kashmir,
Rajasthaiv, Andhra Pradesh, Kamataka and Tamil Nadu. The Ain-l-Akabari
mentions that the Emperor Akbar was an ardent admirer for Kashmiri woolen
shawls. By the third quarter of 18* century, Kashmir shawls had became
synonymous with fine woolen wear in India and were famous in all the
fashionable circles of the West and trade was well established with China,
Afghanistan and Turkey etc.'* Products made out of sheep wool were mainly
classified as Blanket, Druggets, Carpets and Shawls.
'Kambli' is a colloquial Kannada name for the coarse woolen blanket.
Its history goes back to that period of man's history during which he pursued
sheep rearing as main or supporting occupation along with agriculture. It has
been in use in India since the Vedic period. There is a mention of it in
Rigveda. We can find the references of the use of Kamblis in the ages of
Ramayana and Mahabharatha. Historical references reveal that the nomads
from central Asia were the first to rear the sheep and weave kambli out of the
wool procured from these sheep. Th^se nomads carried this occupation to the
European countries including India, cfuring later periods. Kambli Nagideva, a
Sharana* of 12* century A.D.Kamataka during the period of
Sri.Basaveshwara, was said to be the weaver of Kambli. Some writers have
spelt the 'Kambli' as 'cumli' also.*^
11. University of Mysore, 1971, Kannada Vishwakosha, Vol.3, Mysore, Prasaranga, Manasagangotri, P-532
12. Ibid. P.533 * During 12* century A.D., in Kamataka, Sharana means a spiritual practitioner.
52
People use Kambli as both blanket and drugget. Since it protects the
body from external heat and cold, it has been in use in all seasons. The artistic
grandeur of the kamblis had won the fascination of the people of Ancient
Greek and Rome. Kamblis were widely used both in rural and urban areas.
Because of its universality in use irrespective of seasons, it has become a
necessity for the plantation workers in the coastal region. It is an important
object on many religious ceremonies of Hindus. Many rituals loose importance
if kamblis were not used on such occasions. In temples also it has been used as
a drugget. Sometimes it serves as a sacred wear to cover the statues of God.
The great excellence of these blankets is their quality of preventing water when
raining. The finer they are, the better they do this. Some have been made to be
impenetrable by water and were valued high also.'"* Of all woolen fabrics, the
kambli or blanket was an indispensable article of daily use for all most all
classes of people in the past. The finest kinds of these were of superior type
and made only to order. The bulk of demand for these blankets used to come
partly from the Malnad areas in the State and partly from the Nilgiris. It was a
recognized custom that labourers employed in plantations should be presented
with kamblis every year before the commencement of the monsoon season.'^
There have been about six types of kapiblis. This classification has been made
on the basis of their use, process of making, colour of wool used, quality of
raw-wool and demand for in the market. These are, (1) Hurigambali, (2)
Ujjugambali, (3) Sannakambali, (4) Shawls, (5) Gaddhuge Dhavali and (6)
Kariya Kanthe. Hurigambali is made out of rough wool. The thickness of
thread used for weaving this type of kambli is more, which will be woven in
four folds. The same user could use half of this as blanket and remaining half
can be as drugget.
13. Ibid.534 14. Francis Buchanan, 1807, Journey from Madras through the countries of
Mysore, Canara and Malbar, VoI.III, P.330 15. Srisathyam, 1967, Mysore State Gezetteer-Chitradurga District, Mysore
Government Press, P. 170
53
Ujjugambali is an artistically woven blanket, which needs more number
of workers to weave. It is made out of wool of first shearing. The wool around
the neck and back of the sheep is generally used for making. Hence this kambli
is very soft. Medium thick thread is used for weaving. It is of natural black
colour and no artificial dyeing shall be added. Once it is woven it shall be
soaked in the boiling water to wash away impurities. Shawls and Sanna
Kamblis are made by taking thin threads using good quality wool. Generally
rich and sophisticated people buy and use these kamblis. Gadduge Dhavali is a
kambli woven by using the white coloured wool. Dhavali means white. It is
used as a mat for religious heads to sit on special occasions and ceremonies. It
is also used to wrap the materials used while worshipping the diety. Kariya
Kanthe is a triangular woolen cloth, the sacred one, used to spread on the diety
of Sri.Revanasiddheshwara, the diety of weavers, especially kurubas. Kanthe
means the cloth used at the time of worship of God. This is generally woven
by religious heads of kurubas called Odeyars, that too by sitting in the
sanctum-sanctorum of Revanasiddheshwara Temple.'^
Francis Buchanan (1807) has given a very long account of kambli,
sheep, wool and shepherds in his book "Journey from Madras through the
countries of Mysore, Canara and Malbar". There he has described the kamblis
as the staple commodity of Chitradurga and Davangere regions, which in their
fabric greatly resemble English Comblets. During that time, they were of four
cubits broad, by twelve long, and formed a piece of dress or a part of bedding
which the natives of Kamataka have Almost universally been using. They were
not dyed but were of natural colour of the wool, which in the finer ones was
almost always a good black. The blanket made from the wool of first shearing
of sheep was used to be costlier to those of other type of woolen blankets. The
16. University of Mysore, 1971, Op.cit.P.533-34
54
finest were used to be made for the common sale on order by the buyer and
those with other quality, were used to be brought to weekly markets for sale to
merchants for ready money.'^
The process of kambli weaving is long and simple. Before the sheep are
shorn, they are washed well. After the wool is being shorn it would be teased
with fingers, beaten with a bow like cotton, and formed into bundles for
spinning. This operation would be performed by both men and women partly
in the small Hindu Cotton Wheel and partly with the distaff. Some tamarinds
seeds would be bruised; and often having been infused for a night in cold
water, would be boiled to prepare the starch. The thread when about to be put
into the loom shall be sprinkled with the cold starch decoction. The loom is of
a same simple structure with that usual in India. The new made blanket shall
be washed by beating it on a stone; and when dried would be fit for sale. From
this account of the process it will be evident that the great price of the finer
kinds is owing to the great trouble required in selecting wool sufficiently fine, 1 H
the quantity of which in any one fleece is very small.
3.4 THE SHEEP
The National Commission on agriculture has stressed that animal
husbandry in general and development of sheep in particular, would certainly
make an impact on rural poverty and can be a major act of social change
through better employment and income opportunities to the rural poor and by
diversifying agriculture.*'
The domestication of animals was carried out during Neolithic times
along with the cultivation of cereals. First goats and sheep, second cattle and
17. Francis Buchanan, 1807, op. cit. P.330 18. S.U.Kamath, 1982, Op.cit.P.331 19. Ibid. P.332
55
pigs, and finally, the other animals subh as horse and asses were domesticated.
There are many wild verities of sheep (ovis Oriental is Vgnci) in the mountains
from Afganisthan to America and they are probably the ancestors of the
domesticated sheep. Though sheep were first domesticated in the mountains of
Iran, Turkeshthan, and Baluchisthan, we find them early in the history, and
they served as usual purpose in the economies of Mesopotamians and northern
Indian civilizations. They provided milk, meat and clothing for the inhabitants
of cold north (Randhawa 1980).^"
The productivity of Indian sheep is low, yet considering the nutritional
and physical environmental conditions under which they are reared, it can not
be considered inefficient. Major reasons for low productivity are inadequate
grazing resources, disease problems and serious lack of organized efforts for
genetic improvements.^*
Sheep rearing continues to be an occupation having low status in
society. It is primarily in the hands of poor, landless or small and marginal
farmers who graze their sheep on natural vegetation and crop stubbles
supplemented by tree lopping. Indian sheep breed throughout the year. Their
mortality is very high of the bacterial and viral diseases. Pneumonia in various
forms; sheep-fox, enterotoxaemia and anthrax are common and result in high
adapted to the harsh climate, long migration and lack of vegetation and
drinking water.
Sheep are the object of great importance and are the kind called 'kuri' in
the Kamnada language. They are kept by two castes, the Kurubaru and
Goalaru who are sometimes cultivators and possess the flocks each containing
from five to about one hundred and fifty sheep. All the shepherds
20. Planning Commission of India, Report on wool and Textiles, 2003, Ch-l,P-l 21.Ibid.P-2 22. Ibid. P-3 8c 4
56
have, besides some cows, buffaloes and 'Macays' (long legged goats). But the
sheep form the chief part of their stock. They are pastured in waste places.
Government appoints a Hulibandu, or grass renter to whom each family pays a
certain rent fixed based on their property. If any man's flock, however, should
increase much above the number originally belonging to the family the
Hulibandu* he might increase the |tax. The office of Hulibandu is not
hereditary; but there are certain families of shepherds hereditarily annexed to
the Hulibandu of each district. These families were to pay the rent to this grass
renter. They are at liberty to pasture their flock wherever they please, even into
the territories of a different sovereign, thus a shepherd of one region may feed
his flocks in the other region; but he pays the rent to Hulibandu}^
The sheep are generally not provided with extra fodder other than what
they can graze in pastures which are open uncultivated lands containing a few
scattered bushes. These are called Adavi, or forests. In the rainy season, the
sheep at night are driven into folds made of prink bushes. In the dry season,
they are at night confined on the arable lands with an intention to manure them.
As a reward, the cultivator gives food grains or money to the shepherds. Four
rams are reckoned sufficient for a hundred ewes, owing to temperate nature of
climate, the females breed at all seasons indifferently, and they bear six months
in the womb. They have their first lamb at eighteen months old and breed once
a year, but rarely have twins. After bearing three lambs, the ewe would be
sold. If allowed to live, she would bread five times, but afterwards she would
not be saleable. Sheep are never fattened for market, further than can be done
by pasture, with which in India, a sheep seldom becomes fat. But the meat of
23. Francis Buchanan, 1807, op.cit.P-333 * Hulibandu means the grass renter appointed by the Government or Local Panchayet.
57
Those here is better than anywhere else in India, where the animal has not been
stall-fed. The males, except those intended for breading, are sold by the
shepherds when under two years of age. At a year old, the best males are
selected for breeding, the others are c^strated. '* The flock, containing, young
and old, 500 sheep and 500 goats, requires four men and four dogs. These are
able to drive away small animals of the feline kind, but have no arms that
would enable them to attack the tiger or leopard. In recent years the sheep
are reared for market requirements basically for mutton purpose.
Sheep development activity was undertaken as early as the early 19
century by the East India Company, which imported exotic breeds for cross
breeding with the indigenous breeds. Subsequently, with the establishment of
the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, research and development
programs were taken up on a regional basis; they included selective breeding
within the indigenous breeds and cross breeding them with exotic fine wool
breeds, and covered almost all the important sheep rearing States. Major
emphasis was however initiated during Five Year Plans. During the third-plan,
a large number of sheep and wool extension centers were established, and a
wool grading and marketing program was initiated in Rajasthan. In 1962,
realizing the importance of sheep in agrarian economy, the central Government
established Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) and its
regional stations, and United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and the
Government of India (GOI) project, to undertake fundamental research in
sheep production and wool utilization and to provide Post - Graduate training
in sheep and wool sciences. During the fourth plan, a large sheep-breeding
farm was established in collaboration with the Australian Government, at
Hissar, for pure breeding corriedale sheep. Seven more such farms have been
established in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar—Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,
24. Ibid.P-335 25. Ibid.
58
Andhra Pradesh and Kamataka to produce exotic pre-bred or crossbred rams.
A number of sheep development programs were undertaken under specialized
programs such as Drought Prone Area Project (DPAP), Small Farmer (SF),
Marginal Farmer (MF), and agricultural labourer schemes.
Till the end of First Five Year Plan, sheep development programs were
not given due importance. It was only from second Five Year Plan onwards
the Government of India and the state Governments have realized the urgency
and need for paying greater attention for agricultural production by providing
adequate funds, for production of grains, milk and meat, so that the gap in the
nutritional deficiency is reduced to some extent.
Kamataka has been one of the main States in the country known for
sheep rearing from ancient time. The climate and natural vegetation of plain
land of the State have favoured this occupation. It has four breeds of sheep,
namely, Bellary, Deccan, Hassan and Bandur. The first three are for medium
wool and the last for its mutton. Two exotic breeds Rambouillet and corridale
have been introduced in the herds of different farms.
The State is very favourably placed in the sheep development
programme among southern estates, especially in respect of the type of sheep
the State possess. It has considerable scope for developing sheep husbandry in
the light of its resource potentialities. It can be carried out in arid and semi-arid
lands with low rainfall and frequent visitation of droughts. The state has vast
tracts of low rainfall and drought affected lands suited for sheep development.
26. Planning Commission of India, 2003, bp cit.P-2 to 6. 27. S.U.Kamath, 1982, Op.cit.P-724.
59
With a sheep population of 45.36 million (1977 census), Kamataka
occupies the 4 place in the country, the first being Rajasthan. Over a period
of two decades, the sheep population has been increased from 42 million to 46
million in 1997. *
Table-3.5 presents information about district and division wise
distribution of sheep of different breeds, according to the Livestock census of
1997. Tumkur, Belgaum and Kolar districts have larger population of sheep in
the state with 985,863, 876,223 and 725,182 respectively. Chitradurga and
Bangalore (Rural) stand next. Division wise, Bangalore division stands first
with 3,345,326 and Mysore the last with 974,776 sheep. The number of exotic
and cross breed sheep is very meager and the percentage is 0.2%. It raises the
doubt that whether efforts made in this direction by various institutional
agencies are in vain? The total number of exotic breed are 7,241 and cross
breed are 1, 89,302 only.
28. Ibid.
60
Table-3.5
District Wise Distribution of Sheep Population in Karnataka
SI. No.
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
10 11 12 13 14
Name of the District
2 Bangalore Bangalore I Chitradurga Davangere Kolar Shivmoga Tumkur Bangalore Division Belagavi Bijapur Bagalakot Dharwad Gadag Haveri Uttara Kannada
II Belagavi Division 15 16 17 18 19
I 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Beilary Bidar Gulbarga Raichiir Koppal I Gulbarga Division Chikkamangalur Dakshina Kannada Udupi Hassan Kodagii Mandya Mysore Chamarajpet V Mysore Division
STATE
Livestock census 1997
Sheep
Indigenous
4 108317 587983 712796 228631 689035
17596 886808
3231166 865695 251789 374900 46822
201155 245948
2012 1988321 515364 71460
485132 373360 186897
1632213 73621
95 79
193515 671
351638 212296 122920 954835
7806535
Exotic
5 1062 545 117 85
1001 431 100
3341
19 63
157 52
291 144
1815
734 316
3009 33
265 19 91 48
144 600
7241
Cross Bread
6 15292 34683
3520 12611 35146
612 8955
110819 10528 2357 3166 3872 5023 2193 438
27577 13612 5641 3054 4559 4699
31565 753 183 103
1806 140
U310 2993 2053
19341 189302
Total
7 124671 623211 716433 241327 725182
18639 895863
3345326 876223 254165 378129
50694 206335 248193
2450 2016189
529120 78916
488186 378653 191912
1666787 74407
278 182
195586 830
363039 215337 125117 974776
8003078
Source: Karnataka at a Glance 2001-02, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
iril'i Kuvemou UrK-
jnana Sa iyc
61
3.5 THE WOOL
The sheep wool is an important natural fiber and its use in textile
manufacture need not be over emphasized. India's production of wool is about
7000 tones annually. Our Pashmina (=cashmere) is comparable to Russian
Pashmina in quality. Its production is confined to Jammu & Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where breeds producing fine Pashmina
fibers are found. The production of Pashmina and Shatoosh/Mohair shawls
from wild and domesticated sheep is already a very lucrative and export
oriented industry. Bharat Merino is a fine sheep breed evolved indigenously
by cross breeding at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) in
Rajasthan. These sheep comprise 75 percent exotic inheritance (Rambouileet
and Merino) and 25 percent indigenous content through wool breeds, viz.,
Jaisalmeri, Nali, Malpura and Chokla. The following table gives information
about the sheep wool produced in India from 1994-95 to 2000-2001.^'
Year Production of wool (Million Kgs)
1994-95 40.6 1995-96 41.4 1996-97 43.3 1997-98 44.6 1998-99 45.5 1999-2000(Estimate) 46.5 2000-2001 (Estimate) 47.6
Kamataka with its vast rainfall tract, and drought-affected lands, is well
suited for developing sheep industry. Therefore, different agencies with
various schemes are active over the various sheep concentrated areas in the
State. In Mandya, Mysore, Kolar and Bangalore districts there are selective
breeding centers to improve Bandur sheep and the others for dual purpose, both
for wool and meat, where there are wooly types of sheep in the State.
Kamataka occupies the 10' place in wool production per sheep. The Wool
production per sheep is about 500 grams which is far below the all India
29. Chandra S., (2002), "Sheep and Goat-Anticipating a Spurt in International Trade", The Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture -2002, P. 155
62
average of 832 grams.^" As per the live stock Census of 2001, the yield of wool
production per sheep has been increased to 731 grams per sheep in the year
1999-2000. The total number of sheep sheared during this year was 7,442,998
and total wool production was 5441 tonnes. It is evident from the table that the
production of wool in the State has not been regular. The percentage of
variation of production over previous year varies almost ever year. It may be
attributed to, largely, the weather conditions, rainfall and vegetation including
disease. However, the wool yield per sheep has been gradually increased
though not constantly. Table-3.6 presents information relating to the wool
production in the state in different years from 1976-77 to 1999-2000.
Table -3.6 Estimated Wool Production in Karnataka For the Years from
1976-77 to 1999-2000
Year
1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1988-89 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1999-2000
Wool Yield per sheep (in grams)
421 446 494 535 575 620 655 695 700 712 719 720 726 723 723 726 726 740 728 736 731
Production of wool (in tones)
1920 2023 2245 2437 2634 2846 3013 3203 3414 3565 3701 3808 3892 3926 3978 4046 4098 4229 4691 5205 5441
% variation over the previous year
Nil 5.36 10.97 8.55 8.08 8.05 5.87 6.31 2.68 4.39 1.98 1.93 2.21 0.87 1.32 1.71 1.29 3.20 10.92 10.96 4.53
Soruce: Report on Integrated Sample Survey for Estimation of Production of Milk, Egg, Wool and Meat for the year 1999-2000. Directorate of Animal Husbandry in Karnataka, P.69
30. S.U.Kamath, 1982, Op.cit.P-474
63
The Fleece is shorn twice a year. The first fleece is taken when the
sheep is about six months old, and is by far finest in quality. From this alone
can kamblis of any considerable fineness, be made. Every successive fleece
becomes worse and worse, and does not increase in quality. The sheep are
never smeared. They are commonly black; and the deeper this colour is the
more valuable the wool is reckoned. The finer blankets are all an excellent
native black, without dye.
3.6 THE WOOL WEAVERS CALLED KURUBAS
Hand weaving of wool in Kamataka is almost the occupation^^he
Kurubas by caste. The Rural Artisan Survey Report-1994 of Government of
Kamataka records that all households of woolen handloom industry in
Kamataka in 1994 are belong to the Hindu Religion and kuruba caste.
Agriculture and sheep rearing are the main occupations of this community,
besides weaving kamblis.
The Kumbas are the traditional shepherds and blanket weavers. Many
have taken to agriculture in recent years. They are divided into three
endogamous divisions; Halukurubas, Ande Kurubas and Kambli Kurubas.
Each of the three divisions is fiirther divided into several exogamous sects
named after plants, trees, etc., which are of totemic nature. Many profess
shivism but their common diety is Beeradevaru. A section of Kumbas have
priest called Odeyars who are strictly vegetarians. Even women including a
widow from an odeyar family, can officiate as a priest. A widowed
Oderamma* continues to decorate herself with Tilaka, Bangles and flowers.
Dollu Kunita, in honour of Beeradevaru is their folk
31. Francis Buchanan, 1807, Op.cit.P-335 *Oderamma means a widow from an Odeyer family
64
dance.The caste is well organized, though being divided territorially, the head
of each section being known as Gowda. Divorce and widow marriage are
allowed among them. The dead are usually harried. In Belgaum area the
Marathi speaking section is called Dhanagar and they worship Khandoba
(Mailara Martanda). Halumatha is another name for Kurubas. The
Bettakuruba, Jenu Kuruba and Kadukurubas are different from the above
kurubas. These are essentially hunters living in the forest areas of Kodagu
district and its border areas . ^
Francis Buchanan (1807) has given a detailed account of social,
economic and cultural background of the members this community of whom he
had interviewed during his journey in the Mysore region. He records that the
Kurubaru or in the singular number Curuba, were a caste living in the different
parts of Mysore regions and were of Kamataka descent. Some of them have
also now settled on the banks of upper part of the Krishna River in the Maratha
dominions. In this region, they confine themselves entirely to the proper duties
of their caste, which are to rear sheep and to work up wool into blankets. They
can eat with other types of Kurubaru but do not intermarry with them. They
are allowed plurality of wives and their daughters would be marriageable after
the age of puberty. They eat sheep, fish, venison, and fowls. They hold pork to
be an abomination and look upon the eating of flesh of oxen or of buffaloes as
a dreadful sin. They are allowed to drink spirituous liquors. When a Kuruba
dies, his property, as is usual with that of all Hindus in Kamataka is divided
equally among his sons; and his wives and daughters are left entirely at the
discretion of the males of his family". ^
32. S.U.Kamath, 1982,Op.cit.P-474 33. Francis Buchanan, 1807, Op.cit.P-336-37
65
The Deities whom this caste considers as their objects of worship are
Beeredevaru, and his sister Mayava. Beeredevaru is, as they say, the same
with Ishwara, and resides in Kailasa or the haven they believe that the bad
people would be punished in Naraka, or the hell by suffering various low
transmigrations. These deities do not receive bloody sacrifices but are
worshiped by offerings of fruits and flowers. The priests (Pujars) at these
temples are from the same caste called 'Goravaru' and their office is
hereditary. They go round different regions distributing consecrated powder of
turmeric, and receiving charity. Besides worshiping the deities they offer
sacrifices to some of the destructive spirits. They believe that these spirits
would be expelled by prayer and addressed to the deities of the caste. At the
principal ceremonies such as marriages, building a new house or the like, they
approach the village astrologer who is a Brahman. He attends the ceremony,
and having read the prayers proper on the occasion, receives the accustomed
due. ^
Most of the traditions, customs and the way of life recorded by Francis
Buchanan in 1807 are found in practice even today in the rural areas of
Kamataka, of course, with few exceptions with regard to those groups who are
exposed to the modem education and city life.
The Karnataka Backward Class Commission (1990) has stated in its
report that the total population of kuruba caste in the State was 6.3% of the
total population in the State. The percentage of persons of this caste employed
in A and B category of employment in the state is 2.9% of total employment of
this category, 2.9% of C category and 4.9% of D group of employees. The
political accessability of M.L.C's 2.9% M.P's 7.1% and in Zilla panchayath
institufion3.0%.^^
34. Ibid.24. 35. Justice Venkataswamy, Chairman, 1990. Karnataka Backward Class
Commission Report -1990, Vols - 1 & 2
66
3.7 INSTITUTIONAL AGENCIES
Efforts have been made in the past and are being initiated at present, by
both the Central and State Governments, jointly and severally, to develop the
sheep and sheep products, keeping in view of their importance in the rural
development of the country in general and Kamataka State in particular.
Besides the Government Departments, many institutions and organizations
have been established to plan, execute, supervise and evaluate various schemes
to develop the sheep, wool and woolen industry with a special emphasis on the
handloom sector. The following are the important ones among these
institutions.
i. THE CENTRAL WOOL DEVELOPMENT BOARD (CWDB)
The Government of India, under its Ministry of Textiles constituted the
Central Wool Development Board, with its Head Quarters at Jodhpur
(Rajasthan) in 1987, to promote growth and development of wool and woolen
through various activities like market intelligence, marketing of wool and
woolens, price stabilization, standardization of wool and woolen products and
quality control,. The Board has been functioning since the year 1989 and was
registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of Rajasthan in
1996. *
It was reconstituted under the leadership of the Union Minister for
Textiles on 26* June, 2001. The activities of the Board are supported by grant-
in-aid by the Ministry of Textiles, given through and regulated according to the
Five years and Annual Plans. The Board has administered the following
schemes for the development of woolen industry with the help of State
Governments/Bodies or through Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) on
the pattern of Ninth Plan during the year 2002-03.
36. Planning Commission of India, Annual Report-2002-03, on woolen and Textile Industry, Ch.VII, P.66.
67
I. Improvement of quality and yield of wool.
II. Human Resources Development Programs.
III. Development of special Fiber.
IV. Promotional Activities.
V. UNDP Amgora Wool Development Project.
The Integrated Sheep and Wool Development Project covers the aspects
of breed improvement, health coverage, product development, marketing
assistance, and training to sheep breeders in sheep husbandry and productivity.
The program has been extended to all major wool producing states and is being
implemented through Animal Husbandry Department/Sheep and Wool
Marketing Boards or other state Government Organisations. Machine shearing
cum-training project has been in operation since 1993-94 for popularizing
machine shearing through demonstration and in the process for training sheep
breeds to take it up as an economically viable activity. Through wool Testing
Centre, the Board has been providing wool testing facilities to wool procurers,
wool merchants, and providing R & D facilities to the woolen sector in nearby
areas. Through Industrial Service Centre, the Board provides post loom testing
facilities to the woolen industry.
The Board has established a weaving and Designing Training Centre
with a view to training weavers and dyers engaged in woolen handloom in rural
areas. As it was felt that human resource development aspect was neglected in
this industry, the Board identified the following areas for undertaking training
programs in the country as well as abroad in collaboration with other wool
producing countries, (i) Farm management, (ii) Sheep shearing, (iii) Testing
and report writing, (iv) Wool marketing, (v) Processing of wool and woolen
products and (vi) Quality control. It has established ten functionary centers in
main wool markets of different states for establishing market intelligence
network.
68
It has also taken up a program for organizing woolen expose to promote
sale of wool and woolen products and to provide better marketing facilities to
weavers and spinners.^^
ii. THE KARNATAKA SHEEP AND SHEEP PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT BOARD(KS & SPDB)
The Kamataka Sheep and Sheep Products Development Board came
into existence as a statutory body in the year 1975. The main object of
establishing this Board was for speedy and effective implementation of sheep
development programe in the State and to perform such other functions as the
State Government may take up. The following are the functions and activities
related to the sheep and its products carried out by the Board.
a) To render such assistance as may be necessary to carry on activities
relating to the sheep and its by-products.
b) To organize and aid co-operative societies for the purpose of promoting
the activities of sheep development.
c) To arrange for the supply of tools, implements, equipments, required for
sheep development.
d) To conduct training courses to impart knowledge and skill.
e) To promote the development activities relating to sheep, wool, meat and
other allied matters.
f) To arrange for publicity to popularize the product of sheep by opening
stores, shops, emporia or by exhibitions.
g) To undertake collect statistics and conduct research work to improve the
quality and quantity of wool and meat.
h) To maintain or assist in the maintenance of institutions for the
development of sheep and sheep products,
i) To organize shearing, processing and marketing of wool; to promote
consumption of wool and meat.
37. IbidP.67-68.
69
Activities of the Board at present include the heahh coverage;
developing of sheep breeding stations; organization and establishment of sheep
and wool producers co-operative societies; establishment of centers for
collection, processing and distribution of wool; providing rams to farmers at
subsidized prices; training-extension-education; and strengthening of
administration . *
iii. SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
It was started earlier than the First-Five -Year Plan with the following
objectives:
a) To provide shearing facility to the flock owner and to give on the
spot marketing facilities for the wool.
b) To enroll the flock owners and persons interested or engaged in wool
industry as members.
c) To manufacture woolen goods such as kamblis, druggets, dining
mats and caps etc.
d) To provide extension services in the form of sheep dipping, dosing
vaccination and treatments for day-to-day ailments in sheep.
e) Educating flock owners to raise white fleeced flocks to get better
value for wool.
f) To assist the Department of Animal Husbandry in their endeavor to
upgrade the efficiency of local staff for enhancing the quality and
quantity of wool.
g) To work as a coordinating agency between members and
Government Agencies for the benefit of sheep breeders.
At present eleven Sheep Breeders Associations are functioning in the
State and they are located in the following places; Kolar, Mysore,
Doddaballapur, Ramanagaram, Nagamangala, Krishnarajpet, Tumkur,
Chitradurga, Channarayapatna, Ranebennur and Belgaum. These Associations
38..U.Kamath, 1982, Opp.cit.729-30
70
are given the Government assistance in the form of aid by providing staff and
technical officers for their effective functioning.^'
iv. SHEEP FARMS
There are five Sheep Breeding Farms in the State; Bandur Sheep
Breeding Farm (Dhangur village in Malavalli Taluk), Large Scale Breeding
Farm (Challakere), Suttatti Sheep Breeding Station (Athani Taluk) Anagawadi
Sheep Breeding Station (Bijapur District)., Guttal Sheep Breeding
Station(Ranebennur Taluk).
The selective breeding of Bandur sheep is undertaken at Dhangur camp
where the demand for rams is more than the production. The large-scale
breeding farm at Challakere has undertaken the artificial insemination among
sheep, for the first time in the State, under Australian Collaboration since 1972.
The erstwhile Bombay Government started Suttatti Farm during 1947, to
evolving suitable strain of sheep by cross breeding Deccani ewes with the
exotic rams. It supplies its production to the sheep and wool department
schemes. Anagawadi Station was started in 1942 by the Bombay Government
to improve wool-producing capacity of Deccani sheep through selective
breeding. Now cross breeding has been taken up to produce 25 percent breed
using 50 percent corriudale cross rams. The erstwhile Bombay Government
also started Guttal Sheep breeding station, with an era of 295 acres in 1947, to
evolving a new strain of sheep yielding finer wool with the heavier fleece
suited for local conditions, by cross breeding local Deccani with Marino and
Rainbouillet rams.
V. WOOL ANALYSIS LABORATORY
The Wool Analysis Laboratory, Ranebennur was established during
1960-61 with a view to assess the improvement in the wool quality affected
through breeding sheep under Sheep and Wool Development Scheme and
39. Ibid.P.725
71
analysis of wool samples received from different parts of the State for several
attributes of wool has been done. The functions of this center are; (1)
Evaluation of data in research and extension fields in order to assess the
progress made and also to serve as a guide for further planning, (2) Testing
the quality of wool in rural areas and enabling the selection of better quality
sheep as foundation stock, (3) Judging the extent of improvement effected from
generation to generation as a result of breeding trials undertaken in village
blocks and (4) Processing the wool for blending, carding, combing and
spinning to the count required both on wool processing plant and manpowered
charakas. One graduate assistant trained in wool analysis is attached to this
with a laboratory assistant. I'he laboratory has one wool utilization centre
serving as demonstration centre where different kinds of wool are used to
manufacture varieties of finished goods such as rough blankets, kamblis,
carpets, belts and attractive items that the farmers can learn and manufacture.'**
vi. WOOLEN APEX SOCIETY
The Kamataka State Woolen Handloom Weavers' Co-operative Society
Ltd., which was registered in 1956, is today serving the needs of its 150
members' societies with a share capital of Rs.21.44 lakhs, bulk of which has
come as a Government share. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission,
besides giving rebates on its sales of kamblis to estates has also made available
an interest free loan of Rs.3 lakhs for stocking kamblis. The society has also
drawn cash credit accommodation of Rs.6 lakhs from the state co-operative
Apex Bank. More than 50 percent of kamblis are supplied to plantations and
co-operative bodies and the rest is sold through its seven sales deposits located
at Madakeri, Chikkamagalur, Sagar, Sirsi, Belgaum, Challakere and
Pandavapura. The annual sales have been in the order of Rs.28.81 lakhs.""
40. Ibid.P.726 41. Ibid.P.880
72
vii. GRAMA BHARATHI APEX FEDERATION
The Grama Bharathi Khadi and Village Industries Co-operative
Marketing Federation of Kamataka Ltd., was started in 1974. This Federation
has, among its objectives organizing of production, processing and marketing
of the products of khadi and village industries either directly or through the
member institutions. It has nine branches in places of Bangalore, Kadur,
Mysore, Tiptur, K.R.Nagar, Mandya, Kolar and Gadag. It also running
"Saranjam Karyalaya", a workshop to manufacture tools and equipments like
improved looms, power operated gana etc.
viii. KARNATAKA KHADI GRAMODYOG SAMYUKTA SANGHA
Kamataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samuktha Sangh (Federation), Bengeri,
near Hubli, is the state level apex body with 28 primary Khadi and village
industries institutions as members. It is equipped with reginal dye house,
measuring plant, workshop for manufacture of charakas and looms. The Sangh
undertakes publication of "Khadi Jagat", a Kannada montly. It also runs
"Khadi and Gramodyoga Vidyalaya(Textile Chemistry), which is the one of its
kind in the country, training about 16 candidates every year in dyeing and
printing technique.
ix. KARNATAKA HANDLOOM DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION (KHDC)
Kamataka Handloom Development Corporation implements various
Govemment schemes to provide infrastructural, financial, marketing, raw
material, technological support to artisans in handloom industry.'*^ It provides
infrastructural support by providing living cum-work sheds and work-sheds
schemes have been introduced. Both central and state Governments are equally
contributing the funds to the scheme. Pre-loom and post loom processing
42. Govemment of Kamataka, Draft Eight Five Year Plan, 1992-97 and Annual plan 1992-93, Bangalore; Planning Department Vol./I,P.XIII, C-19-22.
73
Facilities are provided to handloom weavers with a view to increase
productivity by reducing the preparation time. It allows rebate on sale of
handloom cloth and provides market assistance. Apex societies are provided
with funds for orgainising publicity and propaganda for their products through
media such as News Papers, All India Radio and Doordarshan."*^
The weavers members of KHDC are being assisted modernized looms
and accessories with 1/3 subsidy and 2/3 loan component. The expenditure is
being equally shared by central and state Governments.'*'* An institute for
advanced training for handloom weavers is being set up at Hubli, Dharwar
District and Banahatti, Bijapur district, in order to up grade the skills of the
weavers for taking up new lines of production, so that their dependency on
government schemes for livelihood will be minimized. With a view to impart
advance training, State Government is also sponsoring 15 candidates every
year to Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Salem, to undergo training
for a period of five years. Stipend and other inputs like books are also given.'*^
X. KARNATAKA STATE KHADI AND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES
BOARD (KVIB)
The functions of the Board are to organize, develop and regulate khadi
and village industries in the State, render financial, technical and other
necessary assistance for developing khadi and village industries in rural areas.
With its programmes, the Board is expected to tackle the problem of
unemployment in rural areas and raise the standard of living of rural artisans.
Besides covering khadi Industries in all the districts, the Board has been
extending financial assistance to village industries such as, village oil industry,
43. Ibid, C-2,4,68 44. Ibid,C 1-3 45. Ibid.
74
village leather industry, carpentry, black smithy, processing of cereals and
pulses, cottage mat weaving, lime industry, pottery etc. for intensive
development in view of potentialities existing for industries in the State. The
Regional Training Centers have been proposed for upgrading the skills of
artisans and to impart training to the office bearers of the artisan Co-operative
Societies/Institutions. To start with, one Regional Institute is set up in Bijapur.
The Board is also envisaging establishing electronic industries in rural areas
wherever possible. The Board is obtaining assistance from khadi and village
industries commission.'*
xi. WOOL WEAVERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES
Kamataka has made pioneering experiments in various fields of co
operation such as, Drganizing societies for school boys', marketing and
financing of cattle-breeding societies, industrial co-operatives etc. It has taken
a leading part in the development of co-operative movement in Bombay and
Karantaka. The Kanginhal Rural Co-operative Credit Society was registered
on 8' May 1905, at Kanginal village in Gadag Taluk of Dharwar district. It
was the first one to register under the co-operative societies Act 1905, next
followed by the urban co-operative credit society at Betageri in the same Gadag
Taluk on 18 " October 1905. There were 18 co-operative societies in the state
in the year 1905-06, with 800 members and working capital of Rs.30,333.'*^
Among several types of co-operatives in the state, wool weavers' co
operative societies are important from the viewpoint of advancing looms
towards the working capital of weavers, supplying of improved tools and
implements, marketing and technical assistance to weavers. During 1999-2000
the total number of weavers co-operative societies in the state were 552,
including textile weavers' co-operative societies. The spatial (district wise)
dispersal of these societies in the state area: Bangalore Rural and Urban -02,
46. Ibid. C-23-24 47. K.N.Naik, 1955, "Co-operative movement in Bombay Karnataka",
Karnataka Dharshana, op-cit.P.485.
75
Tumkur-15, Chitradurga-42, Davangere-02, Mysore-13, Hassan-04
chamarajanagar-01, Belgaum-01, Bijapur-05, Haveri-08, Bagalkot-07, Bidar-
18, Bellary-05. In other words, the total number is 181 out of 552, the
remaining 371 are textile weavers co-operative societies. The total number of
members in these societies during 1997-2000 were 1,27,000 with share capital
of Rs.l 123-30 lakhs of which Government's share is 569.58 lakhs. The
amount of deposits mobilized by these societies during the same year is
Rs.l 102379 lakhs with loans advanced Rs.282.75 lakhs. Employment
provided was 1049 persons in all."**
3.8 CONCLUSION
Thus, the information presented and the discussion had in this chapter
gives a brief picture about the historical and the present perspective of the hand
weaving of wool in India in general and in the state of Kamataka in particular.
It is understood from this that the woolen handloom industry is an important
rural industry that has been in existence since ages providing job opportunities
to large number of people in rural areas and having an industrial and
institutional base for further development. It is also understood that India is
well endowed with proper physical and climatic conditions for the development
of sheep and sheep products which would in turn provide a strong base for the
rural traditional industry like woolen handloom industry in Kamataka and
India.
48. Department of Co-operation, Government of Kamataka 2000, Karnataka at Glance 1999-2000, (Compiled).
•rS£ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^M
7^ /^ 7^ 7^ 7^ in
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