Our Weavers
Paithani Brings About A Sea-change In The Lives Of Weavers
- Employing the youth is nation building: The society in which the youth is gainfully employed, flourishes both socially and economically. Our Paithani production provides livelihood to about 68 per cent youth in 21 to 40 years age group.
- Priority to those on the bottom rung: 34 per cent of the young weavers under our employment come from farmer families and 24 from the tribal communities and 60 per cent of the total come from socially backword classes.
- An alternative for school dropouts: Paithani making can be a source of livelihood for those who have had no formal education. 74 per cent of our weavers have no education beyond secondary-higher secondary level of education; yet 80 per cent of these earn approximately ten thousand rupees per month.
- Social security coupled with employment: Most of the weavers attached to Kapse Group own a handloom. This handloom brings to them livelihood as well as skill development, insurance cover and an excellent shelter on their heads.
The Position Today
Where Is The Weaver In The Paithani Industry?
Paithani making is a major source of livelihood for rural citizens; but the sector is plagued with problems of very low incomes and no guaranteed employment. Most of the rural weavers have to survive such difficult circumstances.
No assured employment
31 lakh families are engaged in the handloom sector and allied activities in India; but many of them have no assurance of employment
Lack of skills and capital
The handloom industry in Maharashtra suffers from a dearth of skilled workers as well as capital. As a result, the industry is in a bad shape.
The traditional art is in a critical condition
Paithani weaved on a handloom is the pride of Maharashtra; but the traditional weaving art is dying.
Paithani making moves out of Maharashtra
The various problems facing the Paithani industry in Maharashtra has resulted in 85 per cent of Paithani production and sale taking place out of Maharashtra.
Paithani rides the powerloom
The Paithani in the market today is mostly made on powerlooms. To arrest this trend, Kapse Group is working to preserve Maharashtra's traditional handloom-woven Paithani.
A Dignified Work Option For Differently Abled And Deaf-mute Persons.
A Divine Piece Of Art Created By The Differently Abled.
An artist who cannot hear is an artist nevertheless. Our employment helps such an artist be an honourable member of the society. This is our way to thank the Lord for His mercy.
- Preference To The Differently Abled.
Weaving a Paithani needs both keen attention and hard work. A differently-abled person has immense capacity for absorbed attention, they are not easily distracted by any sound. Paithani's they make are high quality art and this opens up great employment opportunities.
- Food, Shelter And Security For The Differently Abled
Every differently abled person working for us is treated as a member of our family. The needy among them get free or affordable accommodation within the Paithani Complex itself. They also have a mess and dedicated security arrangements.
There Will Always Be Social Issues And There Will Always Be Ways To Resolve Them!
Problems Posed By Paithani's; Answers Given By Kapse Group
All of us are constantly confronted with problems, not just from the Paithani industry, but also on the livelihood front and the economy. We, on our part, refuse to be a mute witness to this challenge. We believe in action and our belief has led us to work on the following four principles:
- Conservation of the legacy of the art of Paithani weaving.
The automation era today, poses a serious threat to the art of weaving a Paithani on the handloom, though it is true that vintage Paithani emerges from only a handloom. Kapse Group is committed to preserving this art through community training, production and conservation.
- Integrated complex for Paithani manufacture
Kapse Paithani Complex is being created to have everything from Paithani yarn to its sale, together with a museum of vintage Paithani’s under one roof. All aspects of Paithani making will come together in one place.
- Local employment generation
Getting employment near your residence is the key to one's economic advance. Kapse Group is well aware of this dictum and the weavers from Yeola and its neighbourhood are being offered an opportunity to make Paithani’s right at their home or in the Complex.
- Special honour to the differently-abled and the tribal weavers
Kapse Group has linked employment generation to the Paithani industry in a novel way through respectful treatment of the differently-abled. Top priority is being given to young men and women living in tribal hamlets and those who are hard of hearing.
Training facilities and accommodation
Weavers Weave Their Own Nest
- Kapse Complex has a facility to train a newcomer in Paithani weaving. He is not charged any fees but he is cared there by Kapse Group.
- To date more than …………… weavers with no expertise have become professional Paithani weavers and many of them are earning more than Rs.10,000 per month.
- Kapse Group plans to train and employ approx. 14,400 weavers in the next seven years. The first phase will raise the capacity of Kapse Paithani Park to train 8,400 weavers and next 5000 weavers in Yeola neighbourhood will receive home-based training.
- या विणकरांसाठी उत्तम आणि हवेशील अशी वसाहत बांधण्यात आली असून आज तिथे……………. हून अधिक विणकर राहत आहेत. तसेच त्यातील अनेकांना स्वतःच घर उभारले आहे. हाताला काम मिळाले की माणूस नव्या स्वप्नांना आकार देतो, हे यातून सिद्ध झाले आहे.