Home

Back to Index

Ayurvedic dyed clothes popular in Jaipur
by Lokendra Singh

     Jaipur: 'Ayurvastra', a uniquely weaved ayurvedic- dyed dress manufactured in Kerala's Balaramapuram, is becoming popular in Jaipur. The clothe is particularly popular among people suffering from hypertension. The product is being sold in the form of kurtas, salwar suits, bedcovers, pillow covers and night gowns.

      Clothes are dyed with the herb essences, and includes medicinal properties of neem, tulsi, sida and turmeric. Buyers claim that they have read about the medicinal benefits of ayurvedic clothes, and therefore, are keen to purchase them. "Basically, I have read about the concept in newspapers. So, I was inquisitive and have also heard that it is in direct touch with body pores. I have come here after reading about it and hope it will benefit people," said T D Kriplani, a buyer. Sellers claim that these clothes will be beneficial to patients suffering from blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatism and skin diseases, besides providing a cooling effect. "The medicinal clothes that we have launched is a new revolution in the textile industry. In these, we dye the clothes with Ayurvedic dyes and the clothes have medicinal qualities which hopefully are good for diseases," said Hitesh, a seller of Ayurvastra. The clothes have successfully undergone clinical trials in Balaramapuram, the Government Ayurveda College in Thiruvananthapuram, and hopefully will hit the markets by February. The price of these clothes range from rupees 1,000 to 1800. Manufactured by the Kerala-based Handloom Weavers Development Society, a few of its members belong to the Kuzhivila family. One of their forefathers, C.R. Ayyappan Vaidyar, was the court physician of Sree Moolam Tirunal of the erstwhile princely State of Travancore. He was also a weaver who provided clothes dyed in herbs to the royal family. The roots, flowers, leaves, seeds and barks of around 200 herbs are used to make the dyes. The cloth material is mostly cotton and silk though there are a few sample pieces in wool and jute too.

      Balaramapuram is located at a distance of 15 km South East of Thiruvananthapuram. Balaramapuram is the core place for the unique production of traditional varieties of handloom fabrics meant for the contemporary cloth wearing style of Kerala. Its unique craftsmanship makes it an ideal heirloom. Kerala's Shaliyar weaving community, wgich established itself in the state in the 18th century, was originally entrusted with the task of making these traditional clothes.This Tamil-speaking community used to produce fabrics for the members of the royal family. The houses of the Shaliyar weavers reflect their culture, occupation, and religious beliefs. They have rectangular layouts with houses sharing common walls. All the houses have production units attached to them. The houses of the weathier families have showrooms.
-Dec 6,  2006

Leading Indian News Papers

Overseas Tourist
Offices

Tourist offices
in India

Helpline