लिहाज़ ✥ Mubarakpur Handloom Saree ✥ 1

Mubarakpur is an ancient handloom weaving cluster, with evidence of fine silk weaving being practiced here since the 14th century. A luxurious satin weave with zari motifs had historically been the highlight of this area but over the years, this was usurped by the traders of Banaras and became synonymous with the Banarsi sari leading to a decline in the fame of Mubarakpur. The situation was further aggravated by a spate of communal riots a few years ago that further reduced the meagre volume of trade.

The final blow was dealt by the perpetration of power looms which only served to reduce wage rates further. Within the larger community of Ansari weavers there is a small community of Bohra  Muslims who are the most disadvantaged. Their rate of literacy is low; each household has  about 10-11 members while the average monthly income is about INR 4,000 per household. 

Mubarakpur Weaves, is an initiative by The All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association, to revive this dying craft and restore the lost glory to its weavers. The project was initiated in November 2014 after a pilot run for 3 months. This cluster has formed 2  SHGs which comprises of 21 weavers all together.

AIACA periodically helps these SHG members with capacity building trainings and workshops, market exposure activities to help them become a sustainable profit making enterprise.