Dharwad Karnataka Cotton Silk Handloom Cooperative

Dharwad district in northern Karnataka is a handloom hub producing cotton and silk sarees in distinctive North Karnataka styles. Weavers in Gadag, Hubli-Dharwad, and surrounding taluka towns work on throw-shuttle pit looms to produce Dharwad sarees with simple cotton body and contrasting zari or silk border. The Dharwad saree uses soft two-ply cotton yarn in muted earthy tones — ash grey, caramel, rust — favoured by academic and professional women across Karnataka. Cooperative weavers in Dharwad are connected with Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation for yarn supply and institutional orders from government offices and educational institutions. Dharwad also produces Ilkal-adjacent supplementary weft sarees in border districts.