Paramakudi Sarees

Emaneswaram Cotton Saree

Emaneswaram in Tamil Nadu is one of two towns on either side of the river Vaigai; the other is Paramakudi. Both towns (which were, incidentally, 'merged' for administrative purposes in 1964) boast a long tradition of weaving although their arts are are not thriving.

Emaneswaram is a temple town in which the God of Death, Yama, is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva, asking to be reinstated, after the latter tossed him there — legend has it that Yama mistakenly threw a lasso around a Shivlinga at which a young Sage Markandeya, then destined to live only sixteen years, was praying for longevity; Yama had been aiming for Markandeya.

The town of Paramakudi too is steeped in religion. Amongst the many well-known temples located in Paramakudi is one dedicated to Muthala Parameswari or Muthalamman, a benevolent manifestation of Shakti, who is worshipped by artisans (and scores of others).

It is believed that the ancestors of contemporary weavers in the twin towns migrated there from Gujarat some 600 years ago, and that they were patronised by the royal families of Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga for the work in silks. Sarees from the area, however, are now woven not just in silk but also in cotton. Colours tend to be saturated, and broad stripes in colours that contrast with the fields of the sarees are often seen along their borders. The end pieces of these sarees too are often striped.