Reimaginaing the Cultural Landscape of Handloom Weavers of Shaliyar Community in Balarampuram

Abstract

This research looks into the cultural background of the Shaliyar community of handloom weavers in Balaramapuram, a small village in Kerala, India. Balaramapuram has a long history of handloom weaving dating back to the 1800s and is known for its high-quality Balaramapuram sarees, which have received intellectual property rights protection through a GI tag. However, the industry has been facing challenges such as the impact of globalization, the use of lower-quality materials, and difficulty obtaining raw materials and labor. As a result, many residents have been forced to look for alternative occupations. To prevent the loss of such important cultural heritage, experts (INTACH) have emphasized the need to preserve both tangible and intangible elements of the industry. The study focuses on the traditional handloom weaving practices of the community and how they have been impacted by the changing economic and cultural dynamics of the region. Through an analysis of the community's history, cultural landscape, changes in social, cultural and environmental resources in the study area. This thesis aims to understand the economic,socio-cultural challenges and issues faced by the handloom weavers and the revival of the community. The study employs a multi-method approach, including on-foot traverse survey, interviews, historic research and documentation through visual data, analyzed and validated with GIS applications. Community weavers were interviewed for collecting oral histories, associations with the cultural landscape. The findings of the study reveal that the handloom weaving industry and the region has undergone significant changes in recent years. The study demonstrates the impact of tradition and culture on handloom weavers' lives and livelihoods. Despite challenges, the community's sense of identity and tradition have helped them maintain their livelihoods. The study also shows the historical connection between the community and the landscape. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the cultural landscape of handloom weavers and the ways in which traditional crafts communities can be supported in their efforts to maintain their livelihoods and traditions. It suggests reenvisioning and reviving the place identity of the Balaramapuram weaver’s neighborhood and promoting the craft of handloom weaving through landscape design to improve the livelihood and living environment of the community.