Banarasi saree industry still waiting for return of good times

Banarasi saree industry that was hit hard by lockdown hasn’t quite recovered during the unlock phase primarily due to delay in recovery of payments for the sarees supplied to the traders and wholesalers based in different cities all over the countries, said traders.

“Some traders have received small orders due to upcoming festival of Dussehra, Deepawali, mangalik progarmmes (auspicious events) and marriage season in November and December,” said Rajan Bahal, secretary Banarasi Vastra Udhyog Association here. He however added that this wasn’t quite enough.

“Since lockdown there were almost zero orders till the beginning of September. In last 50 days, some traders from major markets like Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Patna and Ahmadabad placed orders for the Banarasi sarees. The market has risen from 0 to 10 percent but this is temporary revival,” he said. “Despite these small orders, the Banarasi silk saree market is passing through financial crisis mainly due to delay in payment recovery for the material (Banarasi sarees and clothes) supplied to the traders in different markets,” he said. “The recovery will happen after bulk orders from major markets start pouring in and Banaras-based wholesalers start receiving payments from the retailers and traders,” he said.

Mukund Agarwal, former president of the Eastern UP Exporters’ Association, said some budding entrepreneurs sold small numbers Banarasi silk clothes, including sarees online. “Small orders were received from certain foreign countries. But payment is yet to be received for many of these orders since the traders are not finding takers. Banarasi Saree market is still passing through the difficult phase which began in March this year,” he said.

“Export of Banarasi saree will improve when bulk orders from foreign countries begin to pour in. Small orders of two sarees, five or ten sarees have been received so far,” he said. “There are around two lakh weavers, including women weavers associated with Banarasi silk saree industry. The master weavers are the most important link between the artisans and the wholesalers and they play crucial role in taking the sarees to the market from the looms. Banarasi silk industry is main source of livelihood for the weavers,” he said.