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Kovai Cora cotton or Kovai Kora cotton is a type of cotton saree made in the Coimbatore region in Tamil Nadu, India.[1][2] It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2014–15.[3][4]
| Kovai Cora cotton | |
|---|---|
| Geographical indication | |
| Description | Cotton sarees manufactured in Coimbatore |
| Type | Handicraft |
| Area | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
| Registered | 2014-15 |
| Material | cotton |
Kovai Kora cotton is made from a blend of silk and cotton.[5] A superior quality cotton yarn is mixed with traditional silk to produce kora cotton.[6] The sarees have bright colored border designs with occasional use of shining zari.[6] The required designs are weaved using the loom using combinations of colored cotton and silk threads and the borders are added later.[6]
The kora cotton sarees are weaved on traditional hand-looms.[7] Every saree takes up to three days for weaving and the weavers are paid ranging from ₹450 (US$5.40) to ₹850 (US$10) per saree.[7] The saree is weaved by traditional weaving families in the districts of Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode in the Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu.[7] Sirumugai in Coimbatore district is the major producer of kora cotton sarees.[7]
82 co-operative societies in the districts of Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode have been certified as authorized dealers of Kovai Kora cotton by the Government of Tamil Nadu.[5] Kora cotton sarees are priced between ₹800 (US$9.60) to ₹1,200 (US$14).[6] The sales of kora cotton sarees have seen a decline over the last three decades due to change in dressing preferences of women.[7] Soft silk sarees look grander and colorful with designer blouses.[7] Lower demand and higher remunerations for weaving soft silk sarees have led to weavers switching to weaving silk sarees.[7] The GI tag helped increase sales by 15% in 2014-15. But the spike in demand was able to convince weavers to switch back to weaving kora sarees and the sales declined the following year.[7] The Government of Tamil Nadu sells the sarees through government run Co-optex stores.[8]
Kora cotton sarees weaved from traditional hand-looms face competition from cheaper cotton sarees weaved through power-looms.[9] The cotton sarees produced through power-looms cost ₹400 (US$4.80) to ₹600 (US$7.20) compared to hand woven sarees which cost between ₹900 (US$11) and ₹1,200 (US$14) per saree.[9] High excise duty on yarn used by the hand-looms leading to higher production costs and greater efficiency of power-looms have contributed to the fall in demand for hand woven kora cotton sarees.[9] Weavers have often demanded assistance from the Government of Tamil Nadu for subsidizing production.[9]
In 2014, the Government of Tamil Nadu applied for Geographical Indication for Kovai Kora cotton sarees.[10] The Government of India recognized it as a Geographical indication officially since the year 2014-15.[4]
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