Context: Amid Pandemic, Care 4 Chendamangalam, which works with weavers in Kerala, brings the eponymous GI-tagged sari for a fund-raiser exhibition to Bengaluru

About Kerala Kasavu Sarees

• It refers to the zari (gold thread) used in the border of the Kerala saree. 
• The identity of the saree comes from the geographical cluster they are associated with.
• The Indian government has identified three clusters in Kerala – Balaramapuram, Chendamangalam and Kuthampully – that have been given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Chendamangalam Saree
Features

• It is recognisable by its puliyilakara border, a thin black line that runs side by side with the sari’s selvedge.
• It has extra-weft chuttikara and stripes and checks of varying width.

History

• It is widely believed that weaving in Chedamangalam was introduced by the Paliam family.
• Called the Paliath Achans, the family was hereditary to the prime minister post to the Maharaja of Cochin, having been associated with Chendamangalam from the 16th century onwards.
• Other GI Tagged Products from Kerala: Kasaragod Sarees, Pokkali Rice, Nilambur Teak, Wayanad Robusta Coffee, Tirur Betel Leaf, etc.