Uppada Jamdani Silk Cotton Saree East Godavari Andhra Pradesh

Uppada jamdani is a distinctive handwoven silk-cotton saree produced exclusively in Uppada village on the coast of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. Like the Bengal jamdani, the Uppada variety uses the discontinuous extra-weft technique to float pattern thread through the weave creating a translucent motif. But Uppada jamdani is woven with silk warp and cotton weft — a combination that gives it a particular drape and lustre different from both pure silk and pure cotton sarees. The patterns are typically large floral bouquets in the pallu and scattered flowers in the body in silver-white on pastel ground colours. Uppada sarees are significantly lighter in weight than Kancheepuram or Banarasi sarees, making them popular as summer festival wear. The GI tag for Uppada jamdani protects the coastal Andhra weaving community against imitations produced in power-loom centres. Uppada weavers are from Devanga and Padmasali communities who have worked the jamdani loom for generations in this coastal village. Government support through AP Handloom and Textile Corporation and direct buyer connections at national handloom fairs have improved artisan income. The skill of achieving the translucent jamdani effect with the silk-cotton mixed thread is unique to Uppada weavers.