Gadag: Lakkundi district is famous not only for its historical temples but also for blankets. The weavers here traditionally wrap blankets in their hands.
Not only from our states but also from the neighboring states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Before the onset of winter, September-October, there were enough people to come to Lakkundi and buy a blanket. But this year’s Corona Pandemic, due to lockdown, has not been in demand for lacquer blankets.
In the past, there were over 50 weavers making blankets at Lakkundi. But recently it has dropped to 15. Recently, as the demand for blankets has diminished, weavers are looking for a different job.
But many still love this lakundi rug because the weaving family has been making a fortune of 2 lakhs in the winter. But we are skeptical that our earnings will cross one lakh this year, says a weaver.
The Lakkundi rug is so popular that it is hand woven and has been durable for over 20 years. Blanket weavers bring raw materials from parts of North Karnataka such as Haveri and Bagalkot. Depending on the quality, each rug costs from 2 thousand to 3-3,500 rupees.
These sellers don’t have to shop or shop, and customers need to go and buy their homes. But no one is coming because this time Corona is there, and this year has been really hard for us. August to October has been a very busy year for us. We sold over 200 blankets. But this time around, only 14 of us are getting orders from around Gadag. Lakkundi weavers say that women who are weaving are looking for work all day long.
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