Mysuru: Two ladies are the central focus of attention at the ongoing Khadi and Gramodyog Utsav at the J.K. Grounds in Mysuru, as they are seen spinning thread at the entrance of the exhibition. These ladies belong to the Badanavalu Khadi Kendra.

The Kendra has set up a stall opposite to their demonstration. This live demonstration of spinning of thread has people swelling them around in curiosity about the making of the cloth and the spinning of the thread.

Prabhamani and Mangala are the two women who are engrossed spinning the thread continuously to give the viewers an idea about the process involved.

Speaking to SOM, they explained how they get in the raw materials from Chitradurga, and then they use Charaka for removing the thread and later treat the thread with maida and starch. After complete treatment, it is sent to the warping unit, and then into the handloom unit. It is also given a particular bleach to get the required colour combination. Prabhamani said, “She was extremely happy to be working for Badanavalu Khadi Kendra and she has been spinning thread since the past 20 years.”

While the entire world is stuck in the spin between the entangled cobwebs of this mechanical monotonous life, Badanavalu is spinning yarn for a change and keeping the tradition of Khadi alive. They just don’t spin yarn, they have spun a story around this historical village.

Badanavalu is a village in Mysuru district and houses several small scale and cottage industries. One such famous industry is the Badanavalu Khadi Kendra, which falls under the Khadi Gram Udyog Sahakhara Sanga (Society). This industry was once visited by Mahatma Gandhi. Since then it has been providing employment to khadi makers. The Badanavalu Khadi Gram Udyog Centre which once had only four Dalit women  now acts as a source of employment to many villagers.

Also the khadi and cottage industry started by Tagadur Ramachandra Rao in Badanavalu provided employment to villagers and produced handmade commodities. This 9-acre Khadi Centre campus consists of spinning wheels, weaving units, paper-making units, bleaching units, handloom unit etc.

The hand-spun yarn and the making of Khadi clothes is still prominent in this village. The Kendra also provides employment to orphans and housewives along with others. Currently, even old people aged above 90 years are still active employees of this Kendra which has set up several showrooms and centres in Mysuru, Mandya and Hassan districts.

The Khadi and Gramodyog Utsav organised by Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Board has several stalls catering to varieties of handmade commodities like clothes, towels, baskets, things made out of bamboo, pottery, shawls, organic foods, etc. The ongoing Khadi Utsav at J.K. Grounds between 10.30 am and 8.30 pm will conclude on Dec.4.