Berhampur, also known as the ‘Silk City’, is famous for its unique style of weaving, particularly the temple-type design of the ‘Berhampuri Patto.’ Recently, the nationally acclaimed anchor couple, Hrushikesh and Sudipta Panigrahi, showcased this traditional weaving style at ‘Odisha Parba’ in New Delhi. The couple introduced renowned artists and personalities on stage while wearing their ‘Berhampuri Patto’ costumes, drawing attention from many visitors, including Odias and non-Odias.
Hrushikesh and Sudipta have anchored ‘Odisha Parba’ six times since 2017 in New Delhi, Surat, and online during the COVID pandemic in 2021. This year’s theme was Odia ‘Asmita’ (identity), Swabhiman (self-respect), and Swabhalamban (self-reliance). However, they wanted to highlight the beautiful handloom silk of Berhampur on a big platform like ‘Odisha Parba’ for the first time.
Berhampur’s silk industry started when the Raja of Mahuri invited the Telugu Lengayat Dera weaver community to come over to Mahuri and work. The chief industry of Berhampur was the weaving of tussar silk that was manufactured into gold embroidered turbans, dresses, and other articles. The silk products of Berhampur find their way to Chennai, Kolkata, and other important places within the country and outside.
Hrushikesh and Sudipta believe that there is a need to revive the silk products and give the weavers a marketing platform, which is inadequate right now. Capacity building, skill upgrade, finances, and capital support are needed so that weavers can go beyond the plateau they have reached in the designing segment. They are optimistic about the future of silk weavers in Berhampur.
