ICT for the renewal of a traditional industry: a case study of Kancheepuram silk sarees

The silk industry in Kancheepuram is one of the fastest growing industries in India. The industry currently employs more than 30,000 weavers in the art of saree making. This was not the scenario in the past. The industry had to compete with the synthetic fiber industry in many aspects. One of the major drawbacks of the silk industry in Kancheepuram was the lack of support from technology. The industry was on the brink of extinction due to the obsolescence of the designs and design making procedures. This is because, design adds splendor to a saree and forms an integral part of its exquisiteness. The recent developments in the designing field shows the introduction of computerized Jacquard borders in Kancheepuram silk saree. The use of ICT has not only helped in creating new and complex designs but also reduce the time involved in the process. There has been an increase in the exports. The acceptance of these silk sarees by the consumers has also increased with the automation of designing process. Visualization of saree designs ahead of its production and the ability to create new color combination at the click of a mouse has increased the flexibility and reduce the time for realizing new designs. Though the materials and the techniques are changing with the market demand, the motifs are still conventional to hold the custom and tradition of the kancheepuram saree. The silk industry in Kancheepuram has transformed into a high growth industry by opening up new avenues for the traditional weavers.