The Supply chain of Traditional Silk Saris

I love wearing traditional Indian silk saris, and we are coming up on India’s traditional Hindu festival season.

However, during my annual trips to India, I am noticing more and more that traditional saris that celebrate centuries-old weaving styles are increasingly harder to come by.

I am starting to source my saris from dealers who have direct links to traditional weavers.

I am told that it boils down to globalization, and to changing tastes and demographics.

Dealers lament the fact that the above factors are increasingly putting traditional artisans out of business.

There are a few specialist individuals (Bela Sanghvi for example with the traditional “Maharashtrian Paithani” sari) who are trying to prop up ailing artisans by attempting to create a niche market, and by trying to create new markets.

However, I suspect that even though these saris are sometimes prohibitively expensive, artisans rarely get a fair cut in terms of the huge value they add.

Artisans are rarely aware of the economics of the business.

It is quite possible that more of them may find it financially viable to stay in business if this issue were attended to.