Telangana’s Pochampally Handlooms & Cultural Splendour to steal spotlight at Miss World Festival.

Telangana Tourism Secretary Mrs. Smita Sabharwal on Wednesday visited the renowned Pochampally handloom village to oversee preparations for the upcoming Miss World Festival, scheduled for 15^th. May. The visit underscores Telangana’s commitment to showcasing its rich cultural tapestry and world-famous handloom heritage to a global audience.

The village is famous across the world for its finesse in hand woven IKAT products in both silk and cotton. In fact, Pochampally Ikat unique style is under Geographical Indication protection. The ikat patterns on a Pochampally fabric have distinguished geometric motifs and are famous for their colour retaining properties. Telangana is one of the oldest producers of ikat in India, besides Gujarat and Odisha. The town of Pochampally alone has thousands of looms and units creating these textiles.

The fabric used is cotton, silk and sico, which is actually a mix of silk and cotton. Ikat represents a weaving form wherein the warp, weft and even both are tie-dyed before they are weaved to create any designs on the finished fabric. Great care is taken from tying of the resistant areas with the water repellent material. The precision of the wrapping process decides clarity of the design. After wrapping, these warp threads are dyed. When these are eventually finished and unwrapped, the areas under these ties retain the original colour. Numerous colours are then added once the additional wrappings are done.

Designs are worked out usually on graph paper before the actual weaving process begins at the Pochampally handlooms. The natural movement during the process of weaving gives the Ikat designs a form of feathered edge, which is indeed a highlight of this technique. Pochampally handlooms are widely known for the durability of the colours that are used in the yarn. In fact, the air hostesses of the erstwhile Indian government’s official air carrier, later taken over by the TATA Group Air India wear specially created Pochampally silk sarees.

As part of a specially curated program, Miss World contestants from across the globe will embark on an immersive experiential tour of Pochampally, exploring the intricate artistry of Telangana’s handloom weaves. This initiative aims to highlight the state’s centuries-old textile traditions, renowned for their vibrant patterns and sustainable craftsmanship. The highlight of the festival will be a grand fashion show featuring Telangana’s iconic handlooms, blending tradition with contemporary elegance. The event will also feature captivating Telangana folk cultural performances, including the dynamic Chindu Yakshaganam the soulful Metal Kennera, and the rhythmic Rinja musical performances, offering a glimpse into the state’s vibrant cultural heritage.

“We are thrilled to host the Miss World contestants and present Telangana’s unique handloom legacy and cultural richness on a global stage. This event is a celebration of our artisans’ craftsmanship and the timeless traditions that define Telangana’s identity”, said Smita Sabharwal.

The Tourism Department invites media and stakeholders to join this celebration of art, culture, and heritage as Telangana prepares to welcome the world to Pochampally.